The Wazirin Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Shehu Sa’ad Gidado has expressed optimism that the new field of Information and Media Studies as pioneered by Bayero University Kano in Nigeria is an obvious sign that the time for sanitization of the New Media and Journalism practice in Nigeria has come.
The Waziri was speaking yesterday at his palace during a courtesy call on him by the delegation of the National Association of Information and Media Studies Students (NAIMSS – BUK), led by the President of the Department, Mohammed Dahiru Lawal.
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Expressing sadness of the decline in integrity of the Media today, the Waziri recounted that before the turn of the century, information passed through radio were taken as sacred and an absolute truth as they were very reliable. He further recalled that when television came, information became more believable and trustworthy because people could not only here but could also see.
He regretted that with the coming of the New Media however, things were no longer the same as messages, photos and videos can easily be doctored and passed on as the truth. He expressed that this phenomenon has resulted to decline in morality and character while also aiding crime and fanning the embers of crisis.
The Waziri stated that even though fake news can sometimes be used in the interest of National Security, tracing its origin to the world war, which helped in quelling the war, he charged Journalists be ethically, morally and Professionally conscious.
He also said that responsibility of sanitizing the ills of fake news and hate speeches that a now rampant all over the Social Media has now been placed on the Students of Information and Media Studies even though he said they would definitely face challenges. He however pledged his full supports to the students and their association activities.
In their remarks, the Vice President of the Association, Fatima Abdullahi Zara and the Departments Independent Electoral Commission Chairman, Yasir Rabiu, expressed gratitude to the Waziri and pledged commitment to their calling.
Responding, the President of the Association, Muhammed Dahiru Lawal, thanked the Waziri for his fatherly advice and commitment to the students cause, he assured the Waziri that students of the Department would never let them down and would work harder to make them proud of every graduate of the Department.
