The Bishop of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Osogbo, Rt. Rev. Olu Akinola, and the Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke, Samuel Ojo, have urged journalists to uphold truth, professionalism and accountability in the discharge of their duties.
They made the call during the thanksgiving service marking the 2026 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Osun State Council, held at the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Ogo-Oluwa Circuit, Osogbo on Sunday.
Dr Akinola, while delivering the sermon, from the book of Psalm verse 103:4, described journalism as a major pillar of nation-building and urged media practitioners to remain committed to their watchdog role in promoting democracy and good governance.
“Beloved journalists, it is your duty to speak the mind of the nation to the government. The government is not the nation; we are the nation,” the bishop said.
He urged journalists to report developments in critical sectors, including the economy, health, security and banking, while scrutinising government policies and activities to ensure accountability.
The cleric, however, expressed concern that some journalists had abandoned the truth in pursuit of personal interests, warning that such practices could undermine public confidence in the media.
“Unfortunately today, some journalists have left the truth for pursuit because of what they need,” he said, urging practitioners to prioritise integrity and responsible reporting.
Similarly, Ojo congratulated the NUJ leadership and members on the annual Press Week, describing it as an opportunity to reflect on the contributions of journalists to society.
He also urged journalists to “uphold accuracy, fairness and credibility, particularly amid the rapid spread of information on social media. Refrain from allowing political affiliations, financial inducements and personal interests to influence their reports.”
Ojo also called on media practitioners to verify information before publication, consult relevant sources and give all parties involved an opportunity to present their positions, noting that inaccurate or biased reports could damage reputations and undermine public trust.
He urged journalists to use their platforms to promote peace, unity, justice and sustainable development, while holding individuals and institutions accountable through constructive criticism guided by facts and fairness.
The governor’s aide also encouraged journalists to embrace continuous training, research and technological advancement, while urging them to report government policies and development projects to keep residents informed.
The Osun NUJ Council Chairman, Adeyemi Aboderin, also urged journalists to remain committed to truth, fairness and responsible journalism as the council marked its 2026 Press Week.
