The Bishop of Ibadan North Anglican Diocese, the Very Rev’d Samuel Kayode Olawoyin, has urged journalists and media practitioners to deploy their platforms for the propagation of the gospel while shunning fake news, blackmail and all forms of unprofessional conduct capable of undermining society.
Olawoyin gave the charge while hosting members of the Ibadan North Anglican Diocesan Media at a media get-together held at the Cathedral Chapter House, Cathedral of St Peter, Aremo, Ibadan.
Declaring that journalism is a God-ordained profession, the cleric cited biblical references, including 2 Samuel 1:1–10, to underscore the role of information dissemination in shaping society and advancing God’s purpose. According to him, the media remains a powerful tool for evangelism, church growth and moral rebirth if properly utilised.
“I charge you all to use the media to spread the gospel. It is a calling, whether natural or supernatural. See it as your ministry and preach only Jesus Christ and His attributes,” Olawoyin said.
He reminded journalists that the birth of Jesus Christ and the promise of His second coming were made known through communication, stressing that the media must therefore uphold truth, accuracy and responsibility. The bishop warned against fake news, misinformation, blackmail, pride and the misuse of the profession for personal enrichment.
“Media practice should not be about show-off, pride or amassing wealth. Practitioners must embrace developmental journalism and constantly reflect on life after death, where material possessions count for nothing,” he added.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Diocesan Communicator and Chairman of the Ibadan North Anglican Diocesan Media, Chief Ayoade Solomon Olugbemiga, expressed appreciation to the Archbishop of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province and Bishop of Ibadan North Anglican Diocese, His Grace, the Most Rev’d Williams Oluwarotimi Aladekugbe, for his consistent support and encouragement of the diocesan media.
Olugbemiga solicited increased support from the diocese, archdeaconries, societies and individuals to strengthen the diocesan media, urging members to see their engagement not as a means of personal gain but as service in God’s vineyard.
In his remarks, the Coordinator of the Diocesan Media, Rev’d Peter Oluwatayo, commended members of the media team for their selfless service, endurance and sacrifices, encouraging them not to relent but to continue using their skills to expand God’s kingdom wherever they find themselves.
A training session at the event featured a lecture titled: “Social Media Ethics and Content Strategy” delivered by Yinka Adeniran.
He described social media as a fast but delicate and potentially dangerous tool, noting that it was created by man and not by God. Adeniran cautioned journalists to be mindful of misinformation and misleading content prevalent on social media, calling on regulatory authorities and law enforcement agencies to curb the excesses of untrained and non-professional media users.
Participants at the programme were drawn from various archdeaconries within the Ibadan North Anglican Diocese. The event was sponsored by the patron and matron of the diocesan media, the Very Rev’d Samuel Kayode Olawoyin and Dr (Mrs) Lola Olawoyin, respectively.
