Be mindful of libellous articles – Rector warns Abia journalists

Journalists in Abia have been warned against publishing false materials that may infringe on the rights of citizens and Nigerian society at large.

Dr Hagler Okorie, the Rector of Abia State Polytechnic, issued the warning while speaking as a guest lecturer during the celebration of 2023 World Press Freedom Day at the NUJ in Umuahia.

Okorie who reminded the Journalists that their jobs require thoroughness cautioned them against dragging their media organizations into libel cases with fake news stories.

The guest lecturer described Journalists as the conscience of society but said their right to freedom of expression should not be a licence for abuse of public and private individuals.

Abia State Commissioner of Police, Mustapha Bala and the Director of Department of State Security, DSS Friday Onuche who were represented at the event by their junior officers, commended Journalists for assisting their security agencies in the arrests and prosecution of suspected criminals in Abia State.

Earlier in his address, the Chairman of the Abia State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Victor Ndukwe said freedom of expression for Journalists in Nigeria would develop the Nigerian society.

Ndukwe lamented that Journalists risk their lives daily trying to defend and save society