A Professor of Mass Communication in Abia State, Uwaoma Uche is advocating peace journalism to stabilise unity and resolve conflicts in the society in this era of ventilation of anger due to harsh economy.
Professor Uche who made the clarion call at the 8th Inaugural lecture of Gregory University, Uturu, harped on the need for Journalists across all levels to ensure that mass media contents are peace oriented and contribute to the development of the country.
Speaking on the theme: “Communicating Life and Death in our Atomistic Conflict Prone Society; Media Role in Resolving the Albatross, the 8th inaugural Lecturer of the University, Professor Uche, said it is pertinent for the mass media to always stand for the truth rather than promote hate speeches and stories that incite violence.
He frowned at the polarisation of the journalism profession by Android phone users who claim newsmen on various social media platforms, adding that it poses a threat to peace journalism.
The Professor of Mass Communication warned phone users and digital media against using it to communicate negativity, believes that channeling communications to propagating African values would make the culture evolve and aid development.
“The use of social media in citizen journalism as alternative channels of communication which is supposed to be a blessing has become a serious threat to society. The spread of unreliable and unverified information through the social media, therefore heightens the already fragile peace that is getting atomistic and almost about to wane in the nation”, he added.
Continuing, he called on the media and relevant agencies to “rise up to the occasion and ensure that the negative use of social media space does not ignite the fire that will consume our society”.
Professor Uche who is also the Deputy Vice – Chancellor, Academic, noted that the political class have been accused of creating atmosphere that promotes unrest, conflict and violence, said there is urgent need to protect the lives of media personnel as well as put an end to intimidations and killings of journalists.
According to him, the mass media has a role to play in ensuring sustainable development in the country through peace journalism; hence, their training should be sustained.
Describing Artificial Intelligence as a new technology that has taken humanity to unchanged territories, Professor Uche , however, 
advised against the risks including turning man to become tools to his own creation.
The Professor recommended for a review of the country’s media and communication policy and the inclusion of peace journalism templates as panacea to sustainable development of the society.
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