The Catholic Bishop of Yola Diocese, Rev Stephen Dami Mamza has today extolled Adamawa journalists for their dedication to duty and steadfastness noting that their positive contributions to the church has impacted on the activities of the Catholic Church in no small way in Adamawa State.
Mamza who is the Adamawa State chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) made the commendation during a Sunday mass at St Joseph Catholic church in commemoration of the 57th Catholic world day of social communication today.
He noted that journalists from the print, electronic and online media have been indispensable tools in propagating the gospel in the last 12 years of his stewardship as the Bishop of Yola Diocese.
“In the last 12 years, the media has been good and close to the church. The church has enjoyed a seamless collaboration with the journalists in the state,” he disclosed.
He noted that in celebration of the 57th Catholic world communication day, Pope Francis has articulated a number of positive messages for media practitioners around the globe.
According to Bishop Dami Mamza, Pope Francis has in his message enjoined journalists to only report after going, seeing and listening in order words, journalists have a duty in reporting only the fact.
He noted that Pope Francis has similarly enjoined journalists to listen and speak with the heart not the tongue because the heart is where the spirit lies.
Mamza urged the journalists to maintain the narrow path of justice, equity and say the truth no matter how bitter it may sound.
But he cautioned the journalists to be tactical and employ the use of conciliatory not combative language as wrong approach and use of foul language may lead to the escalation of tension and bitterness in the polity adding that what a journalist write can either quell or catalyse a raging inferno.
He urged journalists to be responsible in their reportage adding that a journalist should always be ready to accept responsibility for his report which informed the deployment of caution and reporting only the truth.
Mamza urged journalists especially social media influencers against spreading fake news and hate speeches as they are deliterious and inimical to peace and stability.
