In terms of the integrity and credibility of news, one would most likely depend more on the traditional media
By Saidu Idris
365Daily – Professor Angela Nwamuo, Head of Mass Communication Department, Chukwuemeka Odumegu Ojukwu University (COOU), Anambra State, has said that despite the popularity of the social media, the traditional media still holds its pride of place in the media and communication industry in Nigeria.
According to the Professor of Mass Communication, the fact that the traditional media is designed to be guided by a set of ethics, rules and regulations and manned by trained professionals, make it a more credible source of information, than the social media that doesn’t have such integrity safeguard.
She said that the existence of social media platforms hasn’t relegated the known traditional channels of communication in the country.
Professor Nwamuo posited that in terms of the integrity and credibility of news, one would most likely depend more on the traditional media, because the media practitioners and the respective mediums they represent know that they would be held accountable for every piece of information they feed the public.
She stated this position at the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) Anambra State Council press week, held at the Godwin Ezeemo International Press Centre, Awka, Anambra state, on Friday.
The theme of the event was: “Traditional Media and Threat of the Social Media: Implications for National Development.
She said that while the traditional and social media are very useful in today’s society, people should be mindful of the type of information they pick from the social media so as not to enable or fall victim of fake news.
She charged journalists to always live up to the responsibility of the profession, by upholding the ethics and rules of journalism. She also advised that they should ensure that every information is verified before they send them out for publication.