Expose fake news carriers on social media ― Osoba

The Former Governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba has called on newsmen to expose fake news carriers on social media.

Osoba, who was honoured for media excellence at the 2019 Nigerian Media Merit Awards (NMMA) held yesterday in Lagos, said that this should be done in order to prevent the image of the profession from being dented.

Olusegun, who dedicated his award to all investigative journalists in the country, also urged journalists to horn their skills in the area of investigative journalism.

“Let us move to the social media and expose bloggers spreading fake news in order to prevent the image of the profession from being dented.

“I am shocked that for the first time a reporter is short of words.

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“This is dedicated to all investigative reporters who still carry on investigative journalism and not the fake news carriers,” Olusegun said.

Earlier speaking, The Chairman, Nigeria Media Merit Award (NMMA), Panel of Assessors, Professor Ralph Akinfeleye said there were 51 Award categories; 39 for Newspapers, 6 for radio and 6 for television.

He said that 457 entries were received in total competing for the fifty-one Award categories.

Meanwhile, Professor Akinfeleye said that the quality of entities for the 2019 edition is poor, lacks depth, focus, new angle and many illogical inconsistencies.

He, therefore, charged the Editors to embark on thorough editing of reporters’ stories and features prior to publication.

Dignitaries present at the event were The Former Governor, Ekiti State, Niyi Adebayo, Wife Of General Theophilus Danjuma, Daisy Danjuma and Chief Executive Officer, Insight Communications,
Biodun Shobanjo