CALABAR, CROSS RIVER STATE – Dr. Erasmus Ekpang has called for truth-driven, ethical communication in science dissemination during a keynote at UNICROSS.
The Commissioner for Information, Cross River State, made this call Tuesday at the maiden International Conference of the Mass Communication Department.
The conference, themed “The Science of Communication and the Communication of Science,” brought together scholars, journalists, and students nationwide.
Dr. Ekpang said, “In today’s digital age, integrity in communication is not optional—it is a moral obligation.”
He warned that misinformation, blackmail, and sensationalism undermine public trust in science, governance, and media institutions.
“Communication is no longer just speech. It’s a science of influence and action,” he told participants at the Calabar-based university.
He encouraged accurate, clear, and engaging science communication to promote public understanding and evidence-based policy.
“Storytelling and public engagement help make complex scientific ideas relatable,” he added.
Drawing from his environmental science and media background, Dr. Ekpang urged collaboration between scientists and communicators.
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He challenged students and lecturers to become “custodians of truth” and resist clickbait and unverified information.
“Let your voice be one of justice and your pen a tool for healing,” he said.
He praised Governor Bassey Edet Otu for reforms in the state’s communication sector.
According to him, Cross River Broadcasting Corporation is now fully digitized and operationally modern.
The Government Printing Press has also been revived with new equipment, while the Newspaper Corporation has been renovated.
“These upgrades have made Cross River a leader in digital communication,” the commissioner said.
He noted the government’s stronger online presence through daily bulletins and activity on X (formerly Twitter).
Truth Live News gathered that as panels and presentations continued, Dr. Ekpang urged participants to use communication for truth and social progress.
He called the forum “intellectually enriching” and vital to bridging science and media.
The conference concluded with a call for collaboration among media, science, and policy sectors to fight misinformation.