Dr Erasmus Ekpang, the Cross River Commissioner for Information, has urged journalists in the state to use the 2025 media week celebration as an avenue to preach truth and unity.
Ekpang made the call in Calabar on Wednesday when the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River Council, visited him.
The commissioner commended the media in Cross River for their effective role in promoting government policies and programmes.
He said that the media week offered an opportunity for the media to enliven the campaign against fake news and other forms of editorial rascality.
“The week also gives us an opportunity to promote peace through our reportage. Peace remains a necessary condition for development to thrive,” he said.
Ekpang used the opportunity to express the commitment of the Gov. Bassey Otu-led government to promote press freedom in the state.
He said that the Cross River Government would continue to partner the media in order to achieve an informed society.
The commissioner said that the Otu-led government had implemented several people-oriented projects since its emergence.
“As a government, we are deliberate about the wellbeing of our people. This is visible in the kind of projects we have implemented,” he said.
Earlier, the NUJ Chairman, Ms Archibong Bassey, stated that the visit was to inform the commissioner of the activities lined up for the 2025 media week.
Bassey said that the media week scheduled to hold between May 4 and 11 would also be used to commemorate the 2025 World Press Freedom Day.
The chairman thanked the state government for creating a conducive atmosphere for the media to operate effectively.
Mr Eyo Charles, the Chairman, 2025 Media Week Planning Committee, urged the state government to be a part of the event.
He said that the union would embark on a charity visit to the Federal Correctional Center, Aforkang, during the week.
