The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), has trained journalists in Anambra State on the importance of accurate news reportage.
This is even as the Society organized a one-day accurate reportage training programme in its State Headquarters at Amawbia-Awka, on Thursday.
Addressing the participants, the Communication officer of the Society in the State, Joseph Obidigwe stated the importance of accurate news reportage.
He pointed out that the training programme was aimed at equipping journalists with the fundamental principles of the humanitarian organization. This, he said, is in addition to the professional primary responsibility of the media as the watchdog of the society.
Obidigwe said, “The training is to educate Anambra practicing Journalists on how to accurately project the activities of the Red Cross. Both in words and photographic in the State and beyond.
“We want Journalists to understand what we are doing. Which center primarily on humanity, impartiality, independence, neutrality, voluntary services, unity and universality.
“The fundamental principles sum up the Movement’s ethics. And are at the core of its approach to helping people in need during armed conflict, natural disasters and other emergencies. These principles unite the components of the Movement, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and the National Societies and the International Federation. These enable them to provide effective, unbiased assistance to people in need.
Obidigwe noted that the Red Cross Society specially recognized journalists’ frontline role in conflict and other disasters reportage.
He stated that journalists are among the major key partners to the Society. “We want a stronger synergy to enable us make the public better,” he said.
Obidigwe also acknowledged the crucial role journalists play in raising awareness about the humanitarian services provided by the Red Cross Society in Anambra, Nigeria and the World at large.
In his brief remark, the State Secretary of the Society, Engr Kingsley Okoye, urged the journalists to always fact-check information before publishing.
According to him, that would contribute to reducing the spread of false information about the Organization.
Okoye emphasized the need for journalists to project the commendable work of the Red Cross Society in the state and Nigeria as a whole.
The Secretary, therefore, sought for more collaboration between the Society and the media. He also used the programme to announce that a total of 1,000 household in three Local Government Areas of the State will recieve monetary rewards.
He said, 1000 households in Ogbaru, Ayamelum and Anambra West will soon received N90,000 each from a renowned International Organization.
source: Nigerian Tribune
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