The speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, has called on Journalists to sustain democracy through independent and a patriotic press.
Mr Gbajabiamila made the remark at a capacity building workshop for members of the House Press Corps in Abuja.
“Media hold power to account, ensuring that those who are chosen to serve the public interest keep faith with the citizens who depend on them”. Mr Gbajabiamila stated.
Mr Gbajabiamila urged the media to advance democracy and nation-building through the media.
The Speaker observed that quality journalism requires resources to train, equip staff and invest in technology to improve content quality and broadcast capabilities,
He called on journalists to promote accuracy in information dissemination, shun misinformation and propaganda in the practice of journalism.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public affairs, Mr Benjamin Kalu, explained that in the practice of policymaking, the legislature, was guided by press reportage.
Mr Kalu said as the nation enter the election season, the press should centre its reportage around issues and not persons and avoid character assassination.
The Clerk of the House, Dr Yahayya Danzariya, urged them to be more organized, accurately report well the activities and actions of the National Assembly, and also to protect the integrity of the reporting media houses.
Dr Danzariya urged the leadership of the Press Corps to ensure that all those operating under its banner are accredited and registered media professionals under the Nigerian Union of Journalists.
The Chairperson of the House Press Corps, Mrs Grace Ike, gave the assurance that the Corps would do its best to weed out quack journalists in the House to ensure quality reportage.
Reporting Ibrahim Shehu; Editing Chinasa Ossai