Professor of Mass Communication at the Gregory University Uturu (GUU), Abia State, Uwaoma Kalu Uche, has admonished information disseminators and communicators, including journalists, to be cautious of consequences of what they transmit to the public.
He warned that inappropriate messages transmitted could cause disharmony and tension in the polity.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Professor Uche, spoke while delivering the eight inaugural lecture of GUU, titled, ‘Communicating Life And Death In Our Atomistic Conflict Prone Society: Media Role In Resolving The Albatross’.
The don asserted that effective communication is critically needed to maintain societal harmony.
While arguing that communication is both a vehicle of development and destruction people cannot do without, the academic said there are immeasurable gains from exposing younger generation to good communication.
“We can positively tap into it by promoting Nigerian culture and good values through local programmes, use of local language or even Pidgin English as obtained in some other countries,” he remarked.
Noting that communicators and information disseminators must be careful of what they transmit, Uche nudged them to dish out only what could engender peace.
He said without communication, which includes exchange of ideas, values, concepts, attitudes, feelings and experiences, society would be impoverished, weak, and less humane and may even lose ability to positively effect the desired change.
“People cannot do without communication, which is a vehicle or agent of development or destruction, hence communicators must protect what they transmit, by dishing out what can only engender peace,” he said.
He consequently tasked journalists to be professional in their reportage and not engage in sensational communication, as doing so, not only misleads the public, but also undermines the vital role that accurate and well-researched journalism plays.
“The media should focus on issues that would enhance justice, development, peace and harmony and not those with latent divisive tendencies. It must be collective in action towards eradicating quack journalism practice in view of the negative impact of mobile phones in eroding values.”
He concluded by saying under reporting of African culture, norms and values discourage promotion of their positive values.
Chairman of the lecture session and Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Augustine Uwakwe, described the lecture topic as an apt one that could enthrone justice and cohesion in the contemporary society and expressed optimism that it would impact positively in re-shaping the society.
