Crest FM's Temitope Dare have encouraged Students of Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure to uphold credibility and practise responsible communication as they prepare for possible careers in the media industry.
She adviced the students during the school’s Annual Press Club celebration held in Akure, Ondo State 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 Akure, spoke extensively on the growing influence of the media and the responsibility attached to it.
She stressed that credibility remains one of the most important values in journalism, describing the media as a fundamental pillar that supports society.
“Credibility is very important in the media industry. The media is the fabric on which society rests. What would be the value of a foundation that is faulty?” she asked.
Dare noted that public trust in many institutions may have declined, but the media must continue to strive to maintain credibility and serve as a voice for the voiceless.
“In our society today, trust has diminished in many areas, but the media must continue to uphold integrity so that people can rely on us to hold those in power accountable,” she said.
She also pointed out that advancements in technology have significantly transformed the speed at which information is produced and distributed.
“Media technology has changed everything. Tasks that previously took an hour can now be completed in a minute,” she said, adding that journalists must ensure that speed does not replace accuracy and responsibility.
According to Dare, participation in press clubs provides students with early exposure to how information is gathered, processed, and disseminated.
“Being a member of a press club gives you an advantage because you have the opportunity to access and understand information better than many of your peers,” she noted.
The media professional also cautioned students about their activities on social media, explaining that online posts are a form of publishing and should be treated with caution.
“Posting on social media platforms is also publishing. Therefore, students must be mindful of what they share online,” she warned.
Dare further emphasized that secondary school is the ideal stage to nurture ethical values that will shape future journalists and responsible leaders.
“Values such as credibility, trust, and honour should be taught early. Whatever students fail to learn at this stage may become difficult to learn later in life,” she added.
She therefore urged schools and teachers to give more attention to press clubs as platforms for discovering and nurturing young talents in journalism.
“Schools should take their press clubs seriously. Teachers must instill values they themselves would be proud of so that together we can build a society with strong standards,” Dare said.
Earlier in her remarks, the Press Club Coordinator of the school, Joshua Alaba Faith, explained that the club was established to help students discover their talents and prepare them for future careers.
“The aim of the press club is to build students for the future. If education fails you, do not allow your potential to fail you. The platform encourages students to speak up and develop their career interests,” she said.
She added that the club regularly organizes press excursions to expose students to practical aspects of journalism.
“We organize press excursions to broaden the knowledge of our students and give them practical experience of what journalism entails,” she explained.
The event was attended by students from press clubs of several secondary schools across the Ondo Central Senatorial District.
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