Bauchi commissioner tasks journalists on fact-checking

The Bauchi Commissioner for Information and Communications, Usman Shehu, has urged media practitioners to combat fake news through fact-checking and factual reportage.

Shehu stated this during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), on Tuesday in Bauchi.

He underscored the importance of fact-checking in journalism, noting that quacks undermined the profession due to lack of basic understanding of journalism.

The trend, he said, made it challenging for members of the public to distinguish between fake and genuine news.

He urged reporters to verify the news to ensure its accuracy before broadcasting or publication.

The commissioner said the NUJ owed it a duty to effectively police its members, to ensure strict adherence to ethical standards, respect the importance of training and prioritise fact-checking.

Shehu pledged to prioritise staff recruitment and training, recognising the need for enhanced capacity building in the profession.

While acknowledging the challenges facing casual workers in state-owned media organisations, Shehu said that proactive measures would be adopted to address the problems.

Earlier, the Chairman of the NUJ, Umar Said, submitted a comprehensive report highlighting the challenges bedevilling the state-owned media outfis. including the Bauchi Television (BATV) and Bauchi Radio Corporation (BRC).