Nasarawa NUJ Tasks Journalists On Responsible Reportage As Political Campaigns Commence
The Nasarawa State council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) as tasked its members to be responsible in their political reportage especially as political campaigns have officially commenced in the country.
The charge came during the monthly congress meeting of the Nasarawa NUJ which held today (Thursday September 29, 2022) at the press centre along Makurdi Road in Lafia.
The Chairman of the Council, Salihu Mohammed Alkali while speaking on the matter, said politicians are known for their attitude of going to great lengths to achieve their target of getting into political office.
He said over the years, some journalists have been willing tools in the hands of such politicians but that journalists, especially those practising in Nasarawa State, are now smarter and are ready to engage the politicians on issues that affect the society.
The NUJ Chairman also urged the journalists to be very mindful of the places they enter to gather reports as their safety should always be of paramount importance.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nasarawa State NUJ, Isaac Ukpoju pointed out that although the politician has the right to say whatever he or she wants, the journalist has the duty to sieve out portions of such speech that will be detrimental to the society.
Valentine Joshua, a reporter with the State-owned Nasarawa Broadcasting Service (NBS) who spoke passionately about the issue, appealed to every journalist to remember the common man who has been a victim of bad governance in the country so as not be moved by any monetary inducements that may come from the politicians.
He said if the journalists all decide to be responsible in their reportage of political activities during this period, the society as a whole will be better for it.
In the same vein, the congress also inaugurated a 7-man committee to organize an NUJ forum where political candidates will come and showcase their plans and programmes.
The committee which is to be headed by Peter Ahemba, the Secretary of the Correspondents’ Chapel, was charged by the NUJ Chairman to be transparent and fair in all their dealings with the political candidates so that the objectives will be achieved.
