Media Editors Urge Online Journalists to Avoid Infodemic Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
…As FactualTimes Organizes Refresher Training/COVID-19 ACT Right Briefing
POLITICS DIGEST- Media Editors have urged Online Journalists to avoid Infodemic, fake news, falsehood and exaggeration as Nigeria and other nations of the world move to flatten the curve of the noble coronavirus (COVID-19).
They made this call during the weekend while speaking at Refresher Training/COVID-19 ACT Right Briefing organized by FactualTimes Online for editorial team and selected journalists in Kwara State at Dhub, Ilorin.
Royal FM Head of News and Current Affairs, Taiwo Adediran advised Online Journalists to always verify their news from credible source(s) before publishing, noting that spreading rumours and fake news would give their platforms bad image as well as cause distrust for other digital media platforms.
Adediran further said experience has taught him to always balance his reports and give all parties concerned fair hearing in line with principle of objectivity and professionalism.
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In his address, the Managing Editor of FactualTimes Online, Oyewale Oyelola said the Refresher Training and COVID-19 ACT Right Briefing became necessary due to influx of untrained writers in digital media space, noting that such is denting the image of professionals and trained ones on the field.
Oyewale Oyelola who is also an academic, insisted that only trained Journalists should practice journalism in order to restore dignity and sanity to the noble profession.
He added that Digital Media is a blessing and not a curse.
The Public Affairs analyst explained that the only difference between Online and Mainstream Media is the channel of disseminating their news and other content, “hence only professionals should practise at mainstream and digital media space.
Kayode Ishola, the CEO of DIgProm, a Digital Marketing company guided participants through Digital Media operations and Creating Online Presence.
Kayode Ishola advised Online Journalists to resist temptation of adopting copy and paste strategy, stating that generating original contents would help their organization build good image.
He also took them on several means to make legitimate money while practising digital media.
Some of the media participants who spoke after the training expressed delight to be part of the event and asked for it to be held periodically.
