The Archbishop of Jos, Matthew Ishaya Audu has charged the Catholic Media Practitioners of Nigeria, CAMPAN, to “Sell truth and not lies,” in the world of media where sensationalism is the order of the day.

Archbishop Audu who flagged off the Communication Week with an opening Mass at St Matthew’s Parish Giring,  disclosed in his homily, that there is a “war raging in the media space between truth and lies” but that as Christians representing Jesus Christ, “Jesus in identifying Himself says: ’I am the way, the truth and the life.”’ Admonishing that by baptism “we are called to propagate the gospel.”

Similarly, Audu identified that society is functional where individual entities exist with the ability of each spreading “the good news of Jesus Christ.” Adding that a dysfunctional society is one in which people saddled with responsibilities of propagating the truth neglects their duties, giving room for decadence which brings about hardship in the society.

He said “God sends CAMPAN to go and make the place better… because not everyone can go there.” Referring to the media space in disseminating news; the responsibility to carry objective news items as against the norm to report what sells, in this case, he said calamities, where it is reported that bad news sells better.

“The choice of stories carried should be objective” the Archbishop said, because “people tend to believe you more,” adding that regrettably, people also intend to believe in lies fed them by ambitious media organizations and social media influencers.

The truth he said has a sense of finality to it unlike lies that would require frequent fabricated stories to cover up deception.

“If people persecute you for telling the truth, know that it’s not you that is being persecuted but Jesus Christ.

“As CAMPAN, God has sent you to sell the truth and not lies,” this he said is the “sending you.” And it’s on your proper account of it you will be judged by God.” Popular stories will only serve certain interests and also populate the news domain but will not please God.

He further advised the practitioners not to engage in profiteering as against representing God and the ordinary man in the society whose interest he serves to protect as the “moral voice.”

The Archbishop advised media practitioners to always carry out extensive investigation, especially when reporting crisis situations in order not to stir up undue tension.

Also, while applauding the Archbishop for making out time to grace the opening ceremony of the Communication Week, since his assumption of office in 2019, the CAMPAN Chairman, Plateau State Chapter, Comrade Francis Izang, in his address appealed to the Archbishop to collaborate with secular media organizations in the state to further the cause of the Archdiocese, noting that most Catholics who work in those organizations are great in number and would promote the interest of the church in their mediums.

Similarly, Izang urged parishioners to familiarize with members of CAMPAN for future patronage of media services.

The media practitioners also had thanksgiving and the tools they work with were presented and blessed by the Archbishop.

The Catholic Church in Nigeria commenced her Communication Week today, 5^th May, 2024 with the universal theme given by the Holy Father, Pope Francis: “Artificial Intelligence and wisdom of the heart; for a fully human communication.”