The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, has urged members of the Catholic Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (CAMPAN) to uphold truth, fairness and accuracy in their reporting, describing their role as similar to that of referees rather than fans.
Bishop Ezeokafor gave the charge when members of the revived association paid him a courtesy visit at the Secretariat of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka.
He stressed the importance of responsible journalism, particularly in an era when social media and artificial intelligence have significantly transformed information gathering and dissemination.
The bishop encouraged the media practitioners to remain active and committed to their responsibilities, noting that their work was essential to promoting truth and protecting the image of the Church.
He also pledged the moral and spiritual support of the diocese for the association, describing CAMPAN as a partner in the Church’s mission.
“Jisinu ike. We will do our best to encourage you. Be active. It is activity that makes one alive. I am happy you have revived. We are partners, and we will do our part to make it work,” he said.
Bishop Ezeokafor further advised the association to obtain information from appropriate sources and maintain effective communication with the diocese, particularly when planning its programmes.
Earlier, the Chairman of CAMPAN in Awka Diocese, Gab Ndu Okpaleze, thanked the bishop for receiving the delegation and formally informed him of the association’s reorganisation and renewed commitment to its objectives.
Okpaleze said the association was determined to improve on its previous activities by exploring the opportunities and challenges presented by social media and artificial intelligence.
He explained that CAMPAN intended to use these emerging communication platforms responsibly to promote accurate information about the Church’s activities and safeguard its public image.
Among those who accompanied the chairman were former Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Sir Paul Nwosu; Editor-in-Chief of Fides Newspapers, Jude Atupulazi; Editor-in-Chief of Facts Reporters Media and CAMPAN Secretary, Osita Okechukwu-Eze; and Anambra State Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr Ngozi Ulogu.
Also speaking, Sir Chuka Nnabuife emphasised the need for the diocese to explore communication channels beyond print media to effectively respond to the changing demands of modern communication.
He noted that expanding into other media platforms would help the Church communicate more effectively with different audiences.
In his remarks, the Director of Social Communications in Awka Diocese and Chaplain of CAMPAN, Rev. Fr. Mark Obiora Ikeh, who is also associated with Fides Communications, thanked the bishop and members of the delegation for their support.
Fr. Ikeh disclosed that the revived association had already developed programmes aimed at sustaining its activities and strengthening its effectiveness.
He urged members to demonstrate commitment and contribute meaningfully to the success of the organisation.
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