Cross River State - Enhance Your Reporting Skills, Information Commissioner Admonishes Information Officers

[CrossRiverState]

Information officers in Cross River State's Ministry of Information have been tasked to enhance and change the focus of their reportage of Government activities in the State.

This was contained in an address to the officers by the Commissioner of Information, Chief Akin A. Ricketts at the Conference Room of the Ministry, on Friday.

He said when reporting on Government activities, the officers should move away from the traditional way of focusing on the activities of the Chief Executive, officers and rather show how the projects so initiated by Government have impacted on the lives of the citizens, adding that the Chief Executive of the State derives joy from seeing a picture of a smiling old man who is satisfied by the impact of Government project on him,  rather than seeing the Excellency's picture cutting a tape to commission or laying the foundation stones of projects.

The Commissioner said although he knows that journalists in the State have short coming in terms of tools for effective coverage of news, he believes that the short comings should not draw them back, but charge them to be more creative in carrying out their mandates.

Also speaking, Mrs. Mary Akpet, the Director of Information in the Ministry said though there are good reporters among those in the State's employ, but the laxity of a few ones among them has rubbished the good work of their colleagues, adding that when they help each other in their area of weakness, it could build them up and help in extending the credit to everyone.

The Director urged them to sit up and neither be discouraged by the working environment nor the lack of tools, which are hampering their performance.

Responding, Mr. Felix Inah urged his colleagues  to imbibe the habit of timeliness, adding that once news is gathered, it should be made available noting that, the broadcast media is ever there to break the news but that people will be waiting to read details from the print media.

He urged his colleagues not  be shy in area they feel they could not do well and approach their colleagues for correction of their work, adding that the shift of focus which is being talked about, calls for the development of the skills of interviewing.

On the issue of ineffective coverage of MDAs, Mr. Moffi Idom said the ineffective coverage of MDAs is caused by most heads of MDAs who love to work without Information Officers posted to them.

Members of the press appreciated the Commissioner for acknowledging that they are ill equipped and promised that they will do their best to improve on their performances.