The Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, Hope Urunwa Okafor, has called on journalists in the state to remain professional, accurate, and responsible in the discharge of their duties, stressing that the media plays a critical role in shaping public trust and security awareness.
She made the appeal during an interaction with members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), where she emphasized the importance of collaboration between the press and the police in maintaining peace and security in the state.
According to her, journalism remains a noble profession that carries the responsibility of informing the public while also ensuring fairness, balance, and accuracy in reporting.
She noted that journalists occupy a strategic position in society as watchdogs of government institutions, security agencies, and public conduct, and therefore must always operate with a high level of professionalism.
“You should discharge your duties professionally. You should be seen to have lived above board in your duties by the society,” she said.
The police commissioner also appealed for stronger cooperation between the media and the police command in Ebonyi State, saying that effective communication between both sides would help improve security awareness and public understanding of policing efforts.
She stressed that misinformation or incomplete reporting could negatively affect public perception of security agencies, while responsible journalism would help strengthen trust and community cooperation.
Okafor also used the opportunity to highlight the role of the police in maintaining law and order, noting that officers across the state continue to work under challenging conditions to ensure the safety of lives and property.
She acknowledged that the police force often faces public criticism, but urged journalists and citizens to consider the efforts of officers who are committed to professional conduct and service delivery.
The commissioner encouraged reporters to engage in investigative journalism, but warned that such work should be guided by facts, ethics, and fairness rather than speculation or unverified claims.
She further assured that the command remains open to media engagement and is willing to provide timely information that can support accurate reporting and reduce misunderstandings between the police and the public.
Journalists at the meeting also used the opportunity to call for improved access to information and stronger cooperation from security agencies when covering sensitive issues such as crime, arrests, and public safety operations.
They emphasized that a transparent working relationship would help reduce misinformation and improve public confidence in both the media and law enforcement agencies.
The engagement reflects a broader effort in Ebonyi State to strengthen ties between security institutions and the media, especially at a time when issues of insecurity, public trust, and information accuracy remain important nationwide.
For now, both sides expressed commitment to working together in promoting peace, accountability, and responsible communication in the state.
The meeting ended with a shared understanding that professionalism on both sides remains key to building trust between the public, the media, and security agencies.
