Media practitioners have called on media owners to employ professionals to tame the activities of quacks to avert fake news.

Mainstream practitioners were also called upon to take the lead in the narratives in the social media to bridge the gap which encourages fake news.

They also decried fake news as a threat to the journalism profession.

The calls are contained in a communique issued on Sunday at the end of the fifth annual capacity building workshop for media practitioners, organised by the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemicals Limited (KRPC) in Kano.

The communique was signed by Saxone Akhaine and Imelda Odor, respectively Chairman and Secretary of the communique drafting committee. The two-day workshop had the theme, “Towards Enlightened Reportage of the Oil and Gas Industry”.

The participants also called on media practitioners to adhere to ethical standards in the discharge of their duties.

They considered the need to review the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) concept to reflect inclusiveness for mutual benefit between KRPC and its host communities, while journalists were tasked to champion the cause.

Participants also noted that the new Operating and Marketing model, which would translate into the autonomy of the organisation, was expected to come along with challenges.

“For the attainment of the KRPC objectives after the autonomy, there is need for collaborative efforts between the media and the organisation in creating awareness

on the new role of KRPC,” the participants advised.

The workshop also attributed the present sub-optimal operation of refineries in Nigeria, KRPC inclusive, to irregular statutory Turn Around Maintenance, “thus the new drive towards a rehabilitated and autonomous KRPC is viewed as a welcome development."

They called on KRPC to sustain an integrated approach in addressing security challenges in the host communities by providing enlightenment.

Participants also called on the host communities to hold their elected representatives accountable to complement KRPC’s CSR efforts.

The communique also challenged the media on their social responsibility and the need for increased collaboration between KRPC and stakeholders.

Papers presented included “Fake News, The ‘New Normal’ In Modern Journalism?” and “Evolving Community and Security Synergy in the Oil and Gas Industry.”

Others included: “Media And Citizens Synergy for New Frontiers in Oil and Gas industry”, “KRPC/Media Synergy: Expectations of the Media for a Rubost Relationship.”

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