Akpor: Distrust Between Government and Press Will Always Remain
By Ebis Freeman, YENAGOA – Former Permanent Secretary in the Bayelsa State Ministry of Information, Freston Akpor, has said distrust between government and the press will continue to exist because of their differing interests and approaches to information.
Akpor stated this while responding to a question as a panellist at the 13th edition of the Bayelsa Media Awards held on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
He explained that while public relations focuses on strategic communication, journalism is primarily concerned with reporting the truth without bias.
“Public relations is about strategic communication; journalism is about reporting the truth, unbiased truth, the way it should be. It is like oil on water, which cannot mix,” he said.
Akpor questioned the concept of truth in journalism, asking whether it should be understood from the perspective of journalists or the government.
He noted that government officials often seek to control information, particularly on sensitive issues, while journalists strive to uncover facts and make them available to the public.
The former permanent secretary cited the United States as an example, observing that reports critical of President Donald Trump are sometimes dismissed as fake news, even when they have undergone journalistic scrutiny.
He maintained that credible journalism requires thorough investigation, cross-checking of facts and adherence to editorial gatekeeping processes before information is disseminated to the public.
Akpor also questioned the possibility of achieving objectivity, fairness and balance in news reporting, particularly when comparing public and privately owned media organisations.
Drawing from his experience at Radio Bayelsa, where he worked before his elevation, he questioned why the same government-related story could be reported differently by a state-owned media organisation and a privately owned media outlet.
He asked which version the public should trust when the two organisations present different accounts of the same event.
According to him, the differences in reporting highlight the persistent challenge of trust between government and independent journalism.
Akpor concluded that the tension between government communication and the media’s responsibility to scrutinise those in power would remain a defining feature of the relationship between the two institutions.
