The acting Governor of Oyo State, Barrister Adebayo Abdul-raheem Lawal has reminded the expanding community of online media practitioners on need to emphasise on what he called developmental journalism.
Lawal also urged the practitioners to avoid sensational, unverified and outright bias news or features.
While hosting representatives of the South West Group of Online Journalists (SWEGOP) in his office on Thursday, he identified online media practitioners as important members of the society, adding that promptness of dishing out information is sacrosanct, and distinguishes online media practice from the conventional medium
“I appreciate the coming together of online publishers as a group which gives rooms for regulations media practices and content,” he remarked.
The legal luminary assured his guests that the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde would engage them just as he urged them to always advise and call the government attention to issues that bother on wellbeing of the people and development of the state, concluding “Our doors are open, we will always welcome your ideas and constructive criticsm.”
Chairman of the group, Mr. Olayinka Agboola had earlier said the essence of the visit is to congratulate Lawal on his elevation to deputy governor.
Agboola commended Governor Makinde-led administration on his accomplishments in infrastructures, especially the remodelled Lekan Salami Stadium, motor parks and road construction.
He urged the government to look into enviromental issue and security challenges in the state.
“We are not oblivious of the fact that the federal government has its giant share of the blame but Engineer Makinde’s government still needs to be more pragmatic in this respect,” he noted.
The SWEGOP chairman then assured the acting governor of further partnership with the government “as you work hard to take the state to the greatest height.”
