The Chief Press Secretary of Delta State, Mr. Charles Aniagwu has charged pressmen, particularly community newspapers to judge the government of Delta State based on the SMART Agenda of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
Mr. Aniagwu gave this charge during a capacity building workshop for Publishers of Community Newspapers in Delta State with the theme “Excellence in Publishing” at Benizia Hotel Asaba organized by the Press Unit of the Governor’s Office.
Making His presentation on “objectivity vs. editorialistic’ a case study of SMART Agenda”, he charged publishers to assess Governor Okowa based on his campaign promises and not by the previous administration. He said community newspapers serve as a link between the government and the people; hence it should be objective and unbiased. He further charged them to put aside sentiments in the discharge of their duties as the watchdog of the society, in order for them to serve and impact their communities positively.
Speaking briefly on the Paris Club Refund, he said the Governor spent the money on developing Delta State in line with the prosperity to all Deltans agenda, and not prosperity to all workers. He further charged newspaper publishers to embrace developmental news/journalism, as it is the core focus of journalism.
Present at the event were community newspaper publishers, including publishers of Urhobo Voice, Isoko Mirror, Anioma News, Anioma Trust, Warri Voice, Ijaw News and Ika Weekly Newspaper, Mr. Jonathan Onwuka, S.A to the Governor on Community Newspaper and former Editor of Ika Weekly Newspaper and others.
The workshop also enlightened publishers on ways to serve their communities better and affect the people positively. They were also charged to desist from reporting with preconceived notions, and be professional at all times.