Report objectively – Buhari’s Minister, Sunday Dare charges journalists

The minister of Youths and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, has advised journalists in the country to disseminate information to the public objectively.

Dare who spoke in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Thursday, called on journalists to always find the truth about their stories before they push them to the public through their various media houses.

He made these declarations while speaking at a program organised by the Oyo State chapter of Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria (SWAN).

Our correspondent reports that the program was part of the ongoing SWAN week.

Dare, while speaking further called on sports writers to push out the truth through their reports.

He said, “I want to urge you to continue to disseminate information to the public objectively.

“Try as much as possible not to mislead the public with the information you give. Information is key and its power. The essence of journalism is to reach the general public with useful, important and educative information.

“You are not a true professional when you bank on just a source to write your stories. I see this every time and as a sports minister, I shake my head and I ask myself if the writer is a journalist.

“Please try to be objective as you can because objectivity will serve you well as it will make people to give you that respect anytime they meet you,” he said.

“Sports writing is a noble profession and I am glad I am back in my constituency to celebrate with you.

“Journalism brought me to limelight and laid the foundation for what I am today. Each time I am being called upon by the pen-pushers, writers, the media practitioners and members of the fourth estate of the realm, I have no other choice but to yield to their call”.