CEO of FAPEM Constructions, Emmanuel Boakye Fapem, has urged aspiring journalists, realise that their words hold the power to build or dismantle nations, urging them to approach their craft with utmost caution.
Speaking at a seminar during the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) Week at the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication, Boakye Fapem stressed that trainee reporters must exercise circumspection in their work.
“People must have confidence to listen to you, and journalists have only one tool, which is the language we use. It can make and unmake a nation,” he declared.
Drawing the attention of students, the construction magnate recounted the 1994 Rwandan genocide, where inflammatory radio broadcasts by journalists incited widespread violence, resulting in the deaths of nearly one million people. underscoring how unchecked rhetoric can cause irreversible tragedy.
In an era dominated by digital platforms, Boakye Fapem turned his focus to the students’ online behavior, cautioning that social media posts leave indelible traces.
He advised the audience to treat their digital actions as “social currency” and a reputation worth fiercely protecting.
“Every blessed day, our activities on social media are saved and shown as our history—that’s the footprints of our activities on those platforms. What footprints are you leaving behind?” he asked.
The SRC Week, of Otec School Of Journalism aims to equip students with insights into ethical communication and professional growth, amid growing concerns over misinformation in both traditional and social media landscapes.
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