Students of Oyemekun Grammar School have been encouraged to embrace credibility and responsible communication as they prepare for possible careers in the media industry.
The call was made by guest speaker Temitope Dare during the school’s Annual Press Club celebration held in Akure. The event was themed “The Evolution of the Press: Redefining Power and Credibility.”
Dare, who serves as the Provost of Crest Media Academy and Head of Business Development and Marketing at Crest 106.1 FM, highlighted the growing influence of the media and the responsibilities that come with it.
Speaking on the importance of credibility in journalism, she described the media as a vital pillar of society that must uphold public trust.
“Credibility is important in the media industry. We are the fabric on which society sits. What is the essence of having a foundation that is faulty?” she asked.
She noted that although public trust in institutions has declined in recent years, the media must continue striving to maintain integrity and serve as a voice for the voiceless by holding those in power accountable.
Dare also pointed to the rapid transformation brought by modern media technology, explaining that the speed of information dissemination has increased significantly.
“With media technology, things that are done in an hour can now be done in a minute,” she said, cautioning that speed should never replace accuracy and responsibility in journalism.
She further explained that membership in a press club gives students a unique advantage by exposing them early to the processes of gathering and sharing information.
“Joining the press club means you have the power to get information compared to your peers,” she said.
Dare warned students to be cautious about their online activities, stressing that posts made on social media platforms are also forms of publishing.
“Posting on social media platforms is also publishing, so you must be mindful of what you post online,” she cautioned.
According to her, secondary school is the ideal stage to instill ethical values that will shape responsible journalists and leaders in the future.
“Whatever students cannot learn now in secondary school may be difficult to learn later. This is the best time to teach credibility, trust and honour, the values that build the media industry we have today,” she added.
She also called on schools and teachers to give greater attention to press clubs as platforms for nurturing young talents and building a responsible media culture.
Earlier, the school’s Press Club Coordinator, Joshua Alaba Faith, explained that the club was established to help students discover their potential and prepare for future careers.
“The purpose of this press club is to build them for the future. If your education fails you, do not let your potential fail you. It is for them to speak up and build their future career,” she said.
She added that the club regularly organises press excursions to broaden students’ understanding of journalism and provide them with practical exposure to the profession.
