Cross River Govt Restates Support For Virile Media Practice As New Paper Berths In Calabar

 

By Kingsley Agim 

The Cross River State Government has restated its commitment to supporting the expansion of media frontiers in a bid to bridge the yawning gap between the government and the govern.

The assurance of the government was re-echoed by Governor Bassey Otu’s Chief Press Secretary, Nsa Gill, during the unveiling of the newly founded community newspaper, ‘Cross Atlantic,’ on Monday at the Ernest Etim Bassey Press Centre in Calabar.

Congratulating the paper’s publisher and his editorial team for their hard work, Gill averred that Cross Atlantic Newspaper will join the ‘relatively responsible’ media industry in the state to continue to set agenda for good governance as well as engender citizens’ participation in the running of the affairs of the state.

The Chief Press Secretary, who acknowledged the difficulties associated with producing community newspapers, drawing from his own experience, advised the publisher to avoid the social media craze of sensationalism and other unethical practices, while stressing on the importance of maintaining credibility and online presence to expand the newspaper's visibility.

"The effort to bolster community newspapers is well appreciated. I am pleased that experienced journalists are managing publications in Cross River, reflecting both expertise and professionalism. It is crucial to steer clear of social media hypes. Our office will consistently advocate for the governor's support of local media."

The publisher, Mr Lawrence Mpama, stated that the community paper aims to foster civic engagement and inform residents about local concerns and events, encouraging them to participate in their communities.

"Cross Atlantic arises from necessity. Every initiative has its time. This newspaper is a well-conceived project, and I am thrilled to witness its launch as a strong and dynamic entity."

Also congratulating the Cross Atlantic team, Comrade Archibong Bassey, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Cross River State, praised the publisher for enhancing journalism in the region. She encouraged young journalists to engage in developmental journalism, emphasizing that journalism has no retirement.

In an outpour of goodwill messages, other veteran journalists hailed the emergence of the paper into the already healthy journalism climate in the state, vowing to support the newspaper's growth and overall success.

The unveiling was graced by the pantheon of media practitioners in the state, notably, Mr. Ogbang Akwaji, former Head of Service and veteran journalist, other veterans, Mr Charles Eniang, the publisher of Glimmer Newspaper, Mr. John Ebri, the publisher of Median newspaper, Mr Anitie Akpan, publisher of Pillar Today newspaper, Mr. Emma Akpong, retired Permanent Secretary, Florence Olohu, Editor in Chief of Nigerian Chronicle among others.