2022 Election:GCMHE Task Journalists on Professional Responsibilty

By Eagle Eye News24

A group under the aegis of Global Center for Media and Human Empowerment(GCMHE)in Nigeria has urged journalists to imbibe professional and ethical responsibility as they carry out their elections duty.

The group made the call on Saturday,during a one-day intensive Pre-Election Workshop held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ)Press Center in Bauchi State.

Speaking on the topic:National Development:Roles,Professional and Ethical Responsibilty of the Press in  Politics vis-à-vis Election Reporting,the Ag.Director-General,Charles Ejoh,charged journalists to follow the path of professionalism and ethics of the profession in the midst of adverse pressures from politicians.

Ejoh said that: “The Problem of developing a socially responsible press is one of the variables undermining the issue of freedom of the press in Nigeria.Some  Nigerian journalists do not know that the power to disseminate and control the flow of information to a heterogeneous audience entails a high degree of responsibility and maturity . Some do not even know that the power of the media could spell doom of someone’s career. To some,to be a journalist is a license and privilege above others. The argument is that the media are functioning as “watchdogs” against the excess of those in power, hence every subject is emotionally handled without ascertaining its accuracy”.

Exploring the nitty-gritty of election reporting, Ejoh further task journalists to be firm in their reportage of election matters ,urging them to published or be damned.Positing that journalism is a call,and that ‘many are called only few are chosen’

“I urge you journalists to stand tall in your call to duty and resist the temptation of mediocrity, be firm in your reportage of the election in 2023.One thing  you must all know is that journalism is a very sacred call,and ‘many are called but only few are chosen.’

 In his remark, the chairman NUJ Bauchi Chapter,Comrade Umar Sa’idu,commended members of NUJ in Bauchi State for their steadfastness in the line of duty so far. Urging them to continually adhere to the ethics of journalism and advised them to make judicious use of the knowledge they have gotten in the workshop productively.

Similarly in his speech, the Director of Press Affairs Government House Bauchi State,who was the Special Guest of Honour,Sulaiman Alhassan Dambam,appreciated the GCMHE, organizers of the workshop for the drive and the NUJ for partnering with the GCMHE.

The Pre-Election Workshop ended with the presentation of certificate of participation and recognition to the Director of Press and chairman of NUJ Bauchi Chapter for their contributions to the advancement of the media and journalism profession in Nigeria.  

           This years’ Pre-Election Workshop was tagged:National Development:Roles,Professional and Ethical Responsibility of the Press in Politics vis-a-Election Reporting,attracted journalists from both the Print and electronic media.

Journalists in attendance received certificate of participation from the organizers of the event.

Amongst them are:

Hajara Aliyu(Channels TV)Paul Orude(The Sun Newspaper),Ahmed Kaigama(NAN),Abdulwahab Moh’d(VOA),Samuel Luka(Daily Times),Muslim Lawal(Blue Print),Salisu Bala Halliru(BATV),Auwal Abdul(NTA),Rauf Oyewole(Guardian),Ibrahim Sani(Ministry of Information),Adamu Moh’d Gabi(FRCN),Abdulrahman Umar Udubo(BRC),Umar Sa’idu(Pilot Newspaper),Yusuf Bitrus Damina(AIT),Silas Shentukwak(Albarka Radio),Adamu Shehu Imam(Trust Media ).Magret Bankole(Eagle Eye News24).