Distortion and misinterpretation of facts have pervaded journalism practice to the extent that the public doesn’t believe in the journalist anymore.
As a result, people were misled and misguided on the information published or broadcast because that information is not factual and concise.
A LETTER FROM MAIDUGURI – ON PEACE JOURNALISM
Fani-Kayode, journalism and Nigeria’s North-South question
Lack of accuracy, fairness, and sometimes prejudice in our reportage has discredited the noble profession.
Whenever a journalist decides to write or report anything far from the truth of the happenings, it is highly likely that such information will end up misleading the public, and this causes chaos in a society.
Even with the rigorous censorship that pervaded contemporary journalism practice, a journalist must act neutral in especially religious, tribal, political, regional or controversial coverage.
Journalists trade on facts, so there is no alternative to truth in it, but most of our online newspapers are busy publishing something far from the truth.
Media practitioners have become the megaphone of politicians by praising political bigwigs.
Professional integrity is part of the universally accepted code, and a violation of which will discredit the profession, journalism is a noble profession so we should not debase or dent the profession.
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ), The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and all other related unions, need to wage a relentless war against this shameful trend so that the few corrupt journalists will not mar the profession.
Mubarak Shuaybu Shelleng, Adamawa State [email protected]
