Ibom Broadcasters Forum Calls for Responsible Journalism, Presents Award to Governor

Ibom Broadcasters Forum Calls for Responsible Journalism, Presents Award to Governor

The On-Air Personalities (OAPs) Forum successfully hosted its one-day symposium with a resounding call on broadcast professionals to prioritize due diligence in their reportage. The event, held at the Ahta Isong Hall of Ceedapec Hotel, Uyo, brought together stakeholders from the political class, academia, business community, professional institutions, students, and media practitioners across Akwa Ibom State.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Symposium Planning Committee, Uwem Archibong, commended guests for their punctuality and commitment to the ideals of the Forum.

Delivering a compelling paper, Professor Uduak Joseph of the Department of Marketing, University of Uyo, emphasized the importance of sincerity and transparency in the creation of media content for public consumption.

Also speaking, Udoka Okoli, MD/CEO of BuffaloCrest, urged building engineers and developers to adopt responsible practices and shun the use of substandard materials in order to prevent building collapses.

The symposium’s theme, “Combating Misinformation and Disinformation in the AI Era,” was further dissected by Professor Peter Esuh, Dean, Faculty of Communication Studies, University of Uyo. He cautioned journalists against relying solely on artificial intelligence to write news stories, stressing that while AI can serve as a useful support tool, it cannot replace human intelligence and professional judgment.

In his goodwill message, the Guest of Honour and Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, urged broadcasters to uphold facts and accuracy in their reportage, especially in the era of new media and artificial intelligence. He encouraged media professionals to embrace emerging trends while ensuring responsible journalism that promotes credibility and trust.

The symposium featured an engaging panel discussion with seasoned professionals, including Dr. John Ita, Head of Department, Advertising and Communication, University of Uyo, and Aniekan Essienette, Group Marketing Manager, Ibom Air. The panelists shared insights on the role of advertising, branding, and strategic communication in combating misinformation, and highlighted the responsibility of media professionals to balance creativity with truth in storytelling.

The event was graced by several dignitaries, including Dr. Uwem Ite, Head of Community Relations, Oriental Energy; the Chairman of Onna Local Government, ably represented by the Council Secretary, Arc. Mfon Akpabio; and the Honourable Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey.

The highlight of the symposium was the presentation of an Award of Excellence to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, as the Most Media-Friendly Governor.

Presenting the award, the President of the Forum, Mr. Emmanuel Edet (Emma Bakassi), lauded the Governor for his unwavering support to the media community and for fostering a safe and enabling environment for journalists in the State.

Receiving the award on behalf of the Governor, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah expressed gratitude for the honour and assured that the recognition would be dutifully conveyed to Pastor Umo Eno. He described the event as an expression of innovative public relations and proof that excellence thrives in Akwa Ibom. He further pledged that the administration will continue to support the media community to ensure effective, credible, and positive reportage of government activities.

The symposium also featured goodwill messages, creative presentations, and interactive sessions. It ended on a high note, with participants describing the event as a resounding success and a clear demonstration of the OAP Forum’s commitment to advancing responsible broadcasting in the State.

Michael Bassey
Publicity Secretary