By Eche Nwaobasi
HRM Igwe Godwin Nwabunwanne Odiegwu the traditional ruler of Abacha ancient kingdom idemili north LGA Anambra state has cautions Nigeria journalists especially those practicing in Anambra state against using their reportage to smear the image of public figures and government either to settle personal scores or interest noting that such negative tendencies reduce the integrity of the profession of being the voice of the voiceless in the society.
Handing over this royal advice to journalists while reacting angrily to several reports about him titled,"Igwe Abacha blurt out Gov.Soludo,"myself and larger population of my community have been supportive to Gov.soludo administration,"we have contributed immensely to support and to secure Mr governor first and second term victory but today we are completely abandoned by his leadership among others carried by an online television outfit which he said contained lies, baseless and imaginary write up against him,Igwe Odiegwu who was visibly enraged by this stated that the story portray him as if he is hostile to the state governor Prof.Chukwuma Soludo even when he never sat down to grant them an interview on activities of the state government.
Stating that there is the need for journalists to crosscheck their facts before publishing,he called Nigeria union of journalists (NUJ) and other relevant agencies incharge of discipline to rise up to the occasion to ensure that the profession is sanitized by making sure that truthful facts are reported at all times.
Said the monarch,"journalists should not use their position to malign or blackmail a public figures or government to settle personal scores or interest., let them know that as the fourth estate of the realm that they are the hope of the common masses in this country.