Government, for the umpteenth time wishes to express serious concern over the rate of rumour mongering in the State and its attendant consequences.
It is a well known fact that, rumours have been part of human existence and Bayelsa, by no means is not an exception in this regard, but clearly this is not right.
Government is however disturbed by the recent spate of rumours in the State, which has attained an alarming dimension and could be highly destructive as well as deter our growth as a people if not nipped in the bud.
It must be noted that, it is not just about Government alone as the rumuor mill is capable of causing far reaching and irreversible damages to the reputation of even private individuals in the State.
Some rumours can even cause stampede and damage not just to the individual, but equally to the general public.
A case in point is the recent rumour about the removal of the Governor of the State by a phantom Supreme Court judgment.
Bayelsans are advised to discourage this unfortunate, sad and destructive scourge and condemn it in its entirety as well as strive not to be identified with rumours.
Above all, there is an existing law in our status books on CRIMINAL DEFAMATION OF CHARACTER, which makes those peddling unfounded rumours punishable by law.
It is in the light of the foregoing that the Bayelsa State Government has taken a decision to set up a COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC INFORMATION MANAGEMENT to address RUMOUR MONGERING and establish a platform for use by members of the public to confirm issues of interest or any information in their custody or at their disposal before they get to the public as rumour.
When this information gets to the public as rumour, such persons on investigation and confirmation that such rumours emanated from shall be liable to punishment under the law.
The Committee on Public Information Management, will among other responsibilities also serve as a clearing House for people, who have doubts about issues to clarify the truth or otherwise of such issues.
Rumours are inimical to our development and we must collectively fight and check their spread.
The COMMITTEE is hereby constituted as follows:
1. Chief Boma Spero-Jack - Chairman
2. Mr. Tarinyo Akono (Chairman, NUJ, Bayelsa State) - Member
3. Mr. Kola Oredipe - Member
4. Mr. Union Oyadongha - Member
5. Mr. Ekio Benson - Member
6. Lady Gesiere Dorgu - Member
7. Retired Capt. Wisdom Amba Ambaiowei - Member
8. A Member of the Clergy - Member
9. A Traditional Ruler - Member
10. A Market Woman Leader - Member
11. A Representative of the State Security Service - Member
12. A Representative of the Police - Member
13. Chairman of RATTAWU, Bayelsa State Chapter - Member
His Excellency,Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, Governor of Bayelsa State is expected to inaugurate the committee on Wednesday, 20th of March, 2013.
Time: Three O'clock in the afternoon
Venue: Executive council Chambers, Government House, Yenagoa
Appointees are advised to be seated by half past two in the afternoon.
Via: Bayelsa State Government - Official Press Release