The out goning Parish Priest of Church of Immaculate Conception (CIC) Zarmaganda, Rev Fr Dennis Kaye, has charged practicing Journalists in Nigeria to use their profession to promote unity of purpose among Nigerians, rather than division through fake news.
The Catholic priest gave the charge Sunday in Jos, Plateau state, in a sermon, during a Thanksgiving Mass of the NUJ, to mark her 2018 press week.
Rev Fr, Kaye call on Nigerians not to criticize every report by Journalists, nothing that not every story emanating from Nigerian Journalists is fake news.
He also tasked Journalists to be professional and report truth rather than manufacture storyline that could cause panic and hate among citizens.
Speaking on fears by Nigerians that the 2019 elections might not be free and fair, the clergy call on Nigerian political office holders to be just to every citizen irrespective of region, religion, political difference and social status; he frown against injustice and partiality in attending to the needs of citizens.
Council chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Plateau state Paul Jatau, the Feature editor of the Nigerian Standard news paper, a Plateau state owned print medium, thanked the Parish priest and the church for the opportunity given Journalists in the state to worship at the church.
Mr. Paul Jatau, reiterated the call by the clegy on Journalists to ensure professionalism in there reportage.
The NUJ chairman used the avenue and thanked all members who participated fully in the activities of the press week.
Meanwhie, the 2018 Press week of the NUJ Plateau state council had on Friday featured a colloquium, held at the Eliel Centre event hall Jos, with Prof Umaru Pate of the Bayaro University Kano, as guest guest speaker.
Prof Pate delivered a lecture on Fake news and Hate, speech, according to Prof Pate, fake news was as a result of armchair journalism, explained that Journalists who are not exposed to the ethnics of the profession are amog those perpetrating fake news.
Also speaking, on the the Press week, secretary of the Nigerian Union of Journalist Plateau state council Peter Amine, of the News Agency of Nigeria NAN, said the week long activites was to mark one year in office by the current executives.
Mr. Amine said the press week was revived to enable members of the Union refresh on what they have performed well or wrong, and also refocus on the future, particularly on how to tackle reportage come 2019.
The NUJ press week had featured spotting activities, award night and a get to gethere at the press center Jos, members and friends of Journaists in Jos wine and dinined to gether Saturday.
The week long press week activities which started last Monday with road walk climax today, Sunday with the church Thanksgiving Mass, prayers were offered to God to protect Journalists from job hazards.
