From Teryima Ajijah, Jos
The Director General (DG), Plateau Peace Building Agency (PPBA), Joseph Lengmang, has appealed to journalists in Nigeria to always reports issues that could engender peace, rather than trigger already charged situations.
Mr Lengmang gave the advise Tuesday in Jos, during a round table discussion with journalists practicing in Plateau state, as part of activities to commemorate this year’s International Day of Peace, celebrated every September 21, each year.
He noted that the role of the media in ensuring peace and justice is key. He called on journalists to abide by the ethics of their profession.
The PPBA boss said Plateau Peace Building Agency has given voice to ordinary people and through it, peace building activities are being reported by the media.
The event, according to the DG, is to engender sustainable peace in the state.
Mr Lengmang was grateful to the media in helping the agency achieve set goals, and stressed that a lot still needs to be done. “We have a lot work ahead of us,” he added.
Contributing, the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice Plateau state, Mr Chrysantus Ahmadu, in an address, said justice to the victims of attacks is the concern of government, and perpetrators must be punished accordingly.
Mr Ahmadu also urged journalists to be objective in their reportage and correct wrong perceptions about issues, because citizens believe all that is reported by media.
Similarly, Commissioner for Information, Mr Dan Manjang also called on the peace building agency to embark on trauma healing among survivors of attacks.
Manjang thanked journalists covering Plateau state for positively reporting government activities.
On his part, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Plateau state Council, Mr Paul Jatau assured the public that Plateau journalists will always do the needful as expected of them.
The NUJ chairman commended journalists who have consistently reported issues in accordance with ethics.
Paul Jatau said equity and Justice to all should be key in handling situations, particularly crises.
About 50 media practitioners participated in the round table discussion to mark this year’s international Day of Peace.
