Debut of PLENARY DIGEST will add value to legislative activities - Akwa Ibom Speaker

          By Mercy Obot

Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, has described the debut of PLENARY DIGEST Bulletin as a gesture that would add value to the overall activities    of the 7th Assembly.

Speaker Bassey made the remark on Thursday in his office when the publisher and editor-in-chief of the bulletin, Mr. Asuquo Edem, formally presented copies of the new bulletin to him.

The Speaker, while commending Mr Edem for bringing up the bulletin, expressed his readiness to support the initiative for the continued and effective reportage of activities of the legislature in the state.

He assured the publisher that his office would continue to support objective, balanced and fair journalism by supporting journalists to exercise their constitutional roles without interference.

He also commended journalists for their resilience, commitment, dedication and selflessness in the conduct of their duties in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria at large.

He described journalism as a veritable tool for state and national development, noting that without objective and accurate media coverage of events, the society would be in total darkness.

He said that the media not only educate and enlighten members of the public on diverse issues, but also check the excesses of those in positions of authority as well as promote democracy and active citizens participation in the political process.

Earlier, the publisher and editor-in-chief of PLENARY DIGEST, Mr Asuquo Edem, informed the Speaker that the magazine focuses on the holistic coverage of the legislature at both the state and the national assemblies, as well as the legislatures at the local government level.

Edem commended the Speaker for his immense support to journalists in the state, especially the free hand he has continued to extend to them in the conduct of their duties in the house of assembly.

He pledged his commitment to work towards raising the standards in the legislative news reportage, and giving a pride of place to journalism profession by making sure that he and his staffers maintain objectivity and balance in their operations.