Professor Tonnie Iredia, a former Director-General General (DG) of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), on Friday charged journalists and media executives to adhere to the ethical values of the profession which will pave the way to the sustenance of professional excellence.
The professor who is a lecturer at the Igbinedion University, Okada, gave the charge as the guest speaker during a one-day symposium themed: ‘Journalism Under Digital Seige’, and organised by the International Press Institute (IPI), Abuja, Nigeria’s capital to commemorate the 2022 World Press Freedom Day (WPFD).
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According to the professor, the lack of adherence to ethnical values by a larger proportion of the new breeds has often times created a clash between the practitioners and constituted authorities.
While most of the media organisations are concentrating their contents on foreign language – English, the professor while giving his presentation said it is pertinent that news and programming should also be dished out in indigenous languages for better understanding as well as extending the reach to those in the rural areas.
The professor who is a one-time DG of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) emphasised that media owners should prioritise the training and development of their staff, this he said would enable them embrace best practices and recognise global realities in their operations.
The event which was monitored online by Neptune Prime segued into a panel that had Mr Azu Ishiekwene, Editor-in-chief, Leadership newspaper as the moderator, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who the Force Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mohammed Sani Zorro, Senior Special Adviser (SSA) to the President on Public Affairs and Strategy and Mrs Ladi Bala, President, Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) as panelists.
DSP Adejobi urged participants at the event to acquaint themselves with the legal framework of the country, this according to him will guide journalists on how to report security news.
According to the Force PRO, it is not always necessary to be the first to ‘break the news’ when figures of casualties have not been confirmed the relevant authorities.
He however stressed that “when journalists are reporting security news, it is advisable to first confirm from the security agencies putting out the content for public consumption.”
Meanwhile, the media is often regarded as the Fourth Estate of the Realm, to this, Bala on her input charged journalists to take their place and exercise the power inherent in the profession.
She advised journalists to shift their aims and objectives from personal interests and channel it to the development and promotion of peace and unity in the country.
