The Acting Governor of Oyo State, Barr. Adebayo Abdul-raheem Lawal has urged online media practitioners to embrace developmental journalism against fake news.
He also tasked them to always ensure they publish verified information and balancing of stories or features.
Lawal said this while receiving representatives of Southwest Group of Online Journalists SWEGOP at the government secretariat, Agodi Ibadan on Thursday.
While noting that the coming together of the group give room for a more responsible journalism, Lawal also pointed out that online media practitioners are important members of the society because of the promptness of dishing out information.
He assured that the administration of Governor ‘Seyi Makinde will engage the online journalists and urged them to always advise and call the government attention to issues that bothers on wellbeing of the people and development of the state.
“Our doors are open, we will always welcome your ideas and constructive
criticisms”, he stated.
Earlier in his speech, the chairman of the group, Mr Olayinka Agboola said the essence of the visit was to congratulate Barrister Bayo Lawal on his elevation to the Deputy Governor.
While commending Governor Makinde led administration on what he has achieved so far in terms of provision of infrastructures especially the remodelled Lekan Salami Stadium, motor parks and road construction, Mr Agboola said the government should look into environmental 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, Engineer Makinde’s government still needs to be more pragmatic in this respect,” Agboola noted.