President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has pleaded with the media to help in moderating public conversations amidst national crises.
He said such initiative on the part of the media would help mitigate tension and ultimately, resolve the dispute.
He gave the admonition, on Thursday, while speaking on the occasion of the 10th Anniversary and 2020 Impact Series Awards of Blueprint Newspapers in Abuja.
Senator Lawan who incidentally was the chairman at the event submitted that the media being the fourth estate of the realm must cultivate such a noble role to guarantee national stability.
The President of the Senate who claimed that the media often hype information that could instigate mayhem further noted that everyone includes media practitioners are prone to fatal consequences in a state of anarchy.
He said: “That role requires them to responsibly moderate public conversation and debate, douse tension, resolve disputes including providing context for issues, and help in stabilising the polity.
“In this age of information, the media plays a crucial role in creating national unity and remodelling of public opinions.
“It is true that public opinion is always disturbed during a crisis. But in such situations, the media can control public emotions and public opinion with a positive attitude.
“Without a positive attitude in the media, even the best efforts of policymakers and government cannot produce results.
“Let us remember that crisis is inevitable in society. Indeed, it drives development when properly managed.
“The Nigerian media must, therefore, always seek to help the nation turn its crises into wheels of progress.
“This they can do by providing useful information to calm the people and encourage them to do positive actions.
“In the current situations, the media should seek information only from credible sources in order to limit the spread of fake news.
“They should avoid information that is capable of inciting violence and reprisals.
“When law and order succumb to anarchy, even lawmakers, journalists and journalism are endangered.”
Awardees at the event included former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan who was honoured with the award of Icon of Democracy in Africa; Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, Best Governor of the Year; Cross Rivers State Governor, Ben Ayade as Governor of the Year on Agro-industrialisation, amongst others.
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