Journalists in the country have been charged to exercise the power of the pen with discretion and not allow emotion, ethnic inclination, bias and anger influence their reporting of events.

 Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan who gave the charge at a one day retreat for Niger Delta Media Men in Asaba said unbalanced reports have done severe damage to the very core of journalistic ethics.

 Dr. Uduaghan urged journalists to see loyality to the citizenry as their first obligation even as he said that they should allow truth, discipline and the ability to verify information be their guiding principles.

 His words: “As journalists your challenge is to prevent minds from being consumed by intolerance, violence fratricide and crisis in whatever form.”

 Dr Uduaghan, who frowned at the use of GSM text messages to form the basis of headline stories wondered how such unethical practice should be allowed to thrive in a noble profession such as journalism.

 He enjoined them to inform and educate the public on issues that shape their well-being, especially factors that build and define a better future.

 The governor also charged them to use the profession to assist in creating public opinion that can assist decision making process to build a sound socio-economic-political stable nation.

 Describing the theme of the retreat as apt, Dr. Uduaghan said “This theme is most appropriate as it has to do with one of our three point agenda which is peace and security. This agenda is a prerequisite for development.”

 He expressed happiness that there were many channels of mass communication and believed that the untiring efforts of several distinguished journalists and others would accelerate development and progress in the Niger Delta region and the entire country.

 The state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Oma Djeba, in his address urged journalists to promote the positive attributes that unite the Niger Delta region.

 Mr. Oma Djeba told media men in the region to also promote the great sense of history, the potentials and the deep deposit of mineral resources of the region.

 He praised Nigerian Media men for standing tall in development journalism but quickly pointed out that Delta State was playing a pivotal role in the media industry.

 The commissioner said the three point agenda of the Uduaghan administration reflects the true face of Delta State.

 Amidst cheers, Oma Djeba said the stylist leadership of the governor, especially dividends of democracy to the people also reflect the true face of Delta.

 In his brief remarks, the publisher of environment watch communication Mr. Iwuji commended the dexterous peace efforts of the Delta state governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan.

 Mr. Iwuji said the retreat would put in proper perspective the very essence of the amnesty programme.

 Topics that featured in the retreat include “securing the peace in Niger Delta to the next level, challenges of media coverage and management in the Niger Delta, the mass media as a balance of ethnic relations in the Niger Delta among others”.

 Senior journalists from Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River , Imo, Abia, and Ondo states participated in the retreat.