Edegbo charges journalists on credibility, accuracy in reporting
By Benjamin Auta, Kaduna
Journalists must be certain in reporting conflict as well as be accurate and balance before publishing, says a former military officer and broadcaster chief Joseph Edegbo.
Chief Edegbo, who spoke on the topic, “Credibility, Balancing and Production Timing” at a one-day workshop organize by the Catholic Media Practitioners of Nigeria (CAMPAN) with a theme: Reportage and National Security, added that a divided nation will affect the growth of the nation.
The veteran journalist said that the dangerous trends of sharing stories has eaten deep into the fabrics of the profession as plagiarism is the inword for both professionals and non-professionals in the country.
He said that the media must make national security topmost in their agenda and they must as a matter of urgency set agenda that unite the nation.
Speaking on behalf of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) the Vice Chairman of the Kaduna council Comr. Sabiu Mohammed said that there is need for journalists to understand the technicalities of conflict reporting adding that the council will support any organization (s) to partner for peace as well as development of journalist.
Comr. Nicholas Dekera, Chairman CAMPAN in his address earlier said that the workshop is meant for journalist to rub minds on the pattern of security reportage by journalists.
He said that experts were sourced from the security and media industry to help in equipping participants with the necessary know how.
Speaking on character management between the media and security Mrs. Saingnom Mary Ambisa, who is the Head Public Education of the FRSC in Kaduna said that the media must de-emphasize things that will cause division and disaffection in the nation.
She added that there are levels where the media may not go due to national security.
A former chairman of the NUJ Kaduna Chapter, Mr. Andrew Fadason in an overview stated that armchair reporting is beginning to take over the media industry which he describes irresponsibly dangerous.
He said that the situation between the media and security agents can be likened to a cat and mouse game as at the end the day, the media remains the one at the receiving end.
Assistant Director, Social Communication in the Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna Rev Fr. Anthony Shawwuya in a remark called on journalist and security to work together as they are supposed to be partners in protecting the integrity of the nation.
He called on publishers, editors, reporters to always crosscheck and report facts in order not to inflame the situation as he also charged security agents not to be overzealous in carrying out their functions.
