The General Manager of Citi FM/Channel One TV, Bernard Koku Avle, has urged aspiring journalists to place truth above personal recognition, stressing that the core duty of journalism is accuracy, not fame.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 7th Next Generation Investigative Journalism (NGIJ) Fellowship organised by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) on Friday, March 27, Mr Avle said the credibility of the profession rests on rigorous verification rather than speed or visibility.
He cautioned young journalists against the growing temptation to pursue popularity at the expense of accuracy, emphasising that the strength of journalism lies in discipline, independence and service to the public.
“Journalism’s first obligation is to the truth. Your job is to put out the best verifiable version of the truth. This means that Journalism is a discipline of verification. Journalism is not a platform to be famous,” he said.
Mr Avle further urged the fellows to remain committed to fact-checking, uphold their responsibility to citizens, and safeguard their independence in order to maintain public trust.
The NGIJ Fellowship, organised by the MFWA, is aimed at equipping young journalists with investigative skills to strengthen accountability and deepen public interest journalism across the region.
