…the Green Chamber ready to partner with Online reporters-Kalu
By Folusho Alade
Spokesperson for the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu has said the new media and online journalism is the future of the pen profession.
Addressing members of the National Assembly New media forum on Tuesday during a courtesy visit of the executive and members of the association to his office.
Kalu said since change is the only constant thing in life, he sees the journalism profession embracing the innovation of technology in not too distant future.
In his words: “Tradition and convention must give room for innovation. If we are going to achieve, the kind of information management, public engagement that the speaker of the House of Representatives in this 9th Assembly, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila desires.
“ if we are going to achieve the objectives of the legislative agenda of this 9th Assembly as it concerns public engagement, bringing the parliament closer to the people.
The Abia state born lawmaker said it is important for all forms of the media to join hands together to help tell the story of the National assembly the best way to the people.
Praising the innovation of technology, Kalu said it is now easier to get information to the people at the shortest time through online reportage.
“The National Assembly has a very fragile image and that has been fuelled by wrong narratives pushed through various medium.
“Technology makes the job easy. Technology makes access to information better, and faster. Tech makes you feel the piece of information as if you were there.
“While I do not condemn the conventional media operations, statistics have shown that the online media is quicker in pushing out information on any event”. He said.
Admonishing the members of the NASS New media, the spokesperson said Online journalists must embrace professionalism in all ramifications and verify their facts thoroughly before publishing their stories.
“It is left for you to prove the authenticity of what you push to the public. The fear is that the source and credibility of the information that you push out are not strong and reliable.
“You have a lot of job to do.
“Work on yourselves. If you want to write in any language, you must be proficient in the language So that the speakers of that language will understand you when you communicate. That you are online does not restrict you to only English language. You could be online in Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Urhobo, Ijaw, Ibibio or any of our indigenous languages.
“In fact, we are looking for how to engage the public in their own language or pidgin English. But anyone you want to use, it must be the one you are proficient in for better communication.
“The National Assembly is a big institution, to report about it requires that you must be very good in what you do.
Kalu further stated that the leadership of the House led by Speaker, Rt Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila is willing to partner with the association to achieve the objective of bringing the dividends of democracy to Nigerians.
“The House of Representatives is willing to partner with the online media, especially under my watch as the spokesman of the House of Representatives.
“Good enough, the Speaker is very interested in working with you. If the Speaker did not show interest in working with you I will not be here.
“ The Speaker has shown interest that we need to do a diversification of media platform so that we can achieve our aim of dissolving the opaque view of the National Assembly, this cloud, the veil that have enveloped the activity of the National Assembly.
“We seek strategic partnership with people like you, the online media who control the bulk of social media participants.
“I know most of you are social media influencers, so strategic partnership with you means that the stake that you are holding, the New Media industry automatically becomes our mouthpiece, so we can speak through you”. Honourable Kalu concluded.
