Arguably, information is much more important than money. It could be likened to electricity blackout where movements and other human activities are impeded. Light illuminates; the way information puts one abreast of the happenings around the world. A man who is not aware of the unfolding events in his vicinity is as good as dead and a man who values information and knows how to make a judicious us of it can; within a twinkle of an eye, relieve himself from bondage.
The role of media organization is all- encompassing. In the past, it was restricted to information disemination but the modern-day role of the media has transcended mere passing of information. Aside the primitive function, media has been viewed as agent of socialization, apostle social justice, pressure group and a host of others that are crucial to daily activities of man.
The press derives its’ power from Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right as stated in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Media freedom and access to information feed into the wider development objective of empowering people. Empowerment is a multi-dimensional social and political process that helps people gain control over their own lives. This can only be achieved through access to accurate, fair and unbiased information, representing a plurality of opinions, and the means to actively communicate vertically and horizontally, thereby participating in the active life of the community.
Nigerian media gained further advantage at the signing on 28th of May, 2021, of the Freedom Of Information, FOI bill. This was indeed in appreciative of the role of the press as the fourth realm of government.
Without any iota of contradiction, freedom of speech is not intended to infringe upon the rights of the citizenry. Fundamental human right has a limit. Press is under obligation to operate within the ambience and ambit of law.
To every media organization, objectivity and balance report are essential. It is expected that the press must be factual in its dealings and avoid sensational and prejudicial reportage. Suffice to say that any media organization desirous of wide acceptance and patronage need to shun jungle journalism and parochial sentiment. These are virtues that make Oduduwa News stands tall amongst her contemporaries.
Like a colossus, Oduduwa News betrode the media world with a character. Since its’ conception, it has become a reference point for other online media for his factual and unbiased report. This is coupled with prompt and timely report which has conferred the title of pathfinder on the organization.
The advent of online news in 1995 has drastically reduced the crave for print media. This may not be unconnected with the rapid flow of information in this age of technology, courtesy of internet facility. Obviously, technological advancement has brought the globe to the tips of the fingers. The unhindered access to filtering news at any time and anywhere has given everyone the opportunity of first hand information.
Hitherto, people relied and waited for the print media to make news available through dispatch and distribution. But nowadays, everyone has become a pressman and agents by sending classified and hot news to media houses. With the advent of technology, there has been an increase in the number of freelancers and bloggers. With the advent of digital journalism, Nigerians have developed more intricate ways to express themselves from the cave to painting to a written word and illuminated manuscripts to twitter, Facebook and watzap. This is a real revolutionary transformation of journalism.
Without mincing words, credits should go to Oduduwa News management. The crew has never disappointed the nation with the needed news upon which social, economic, educational and others rely on. The organization is unequivocally reliable and dependable. The adherence of the organization to the tenets, ethics, norms and ethos of journalism has always reflected in its daily operation. Oduduwa News has practically become the cynosure of all eyes and a template upon which journalism as a profession is gauged.
Oduduwa News is a stand-alone publication which is not affiliated to any newspaper online version. It is an organization that has been able to strike balance between timely and in-depth reporting.
Established on the June 26th, 2020, Oduduwa News has become a household name in the entire nation and a dependable organization for people in diaspora.
It is my fervent prayer that the organization shall continue to exist and attain an enviable heights in the world of journalism across the globe.
Comrade Lekan Badmus is a columnist with Oduduwa News and a public opinion analyst who is based in both Lagos and Ibadan.
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