Journalists Charges on Professional, Ethical Compliance
By Aliyu Dangida
HOTPEN – Former Managing Director of Jigawa Broadcasting Corporation, Alh. Sabo Abdullahi Guri has charged media practitioners in Nigeria on professionalism and high ethical standard in the discharge of their duties as the fourth estate of the realm.
Sabo Guri stated this in Dutse, Jigawa State during a One Day Workshop for working Journalists and Social Media Influencers organized by National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in Collaboration with PRNigeria.
He noted that the evolution of digital media and related technologies pose a significant threat to Journalists and analog Media Managers hence, the dire need to mainstream digital technologies in serving the public better as the watchdogs of society.
According to him, for journalists to maintain professional relevance in today’s digital world they must possess digital skills related to media and communication.
His words:- “For the Media in Nigeria to improve its capacity, relevance, and quality of service in line with rising global expectations, it must uphold the principle of employing journalists with high literacy, well-traveled as well as an expert in communication technologies.
“The reality is that this is not the era of analog journalists or analog media managers. This is the time for participatory and people-centered journalism, carried out in digitized environment by digitized media professionals and supported by modern management who thinks digitally”.
The media guru explained further that Journalists should always ensure adherence to the professional code of ethics in the discharge of their duties. “News reporting generally requires the journalist to adhere to the ethical code of practice which guides his/her professional conduct and behavior as well as the laws governing the practice”
“Where such considerations are poorly handled by the journalist it is likely to aggravate the violent situation rather than mediate”. He added.
Highlights of the event include presentation of papers and certificates to media professionals and social media handlers.
Some journalists interview by Hotpen commended NITDA and PRNigeria for organizing the workshop, describing it as timely, educative and interesting.