By; SANI ALIYU, Zaria
A university don has tasked journalists to adhere to the ethics of the profession and take precautionary measures to strike balance between the profession and survival.
Dr Isa Saidu of the Department of Political Science and International Studies, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria made the appeal during a one-day workshop on Friday in Zaria.
The workshop, which had the theme, “Objective media towards enhanced National Security” was organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Zaria Unit in collaboration with Federal College of Education (FCE) Zaria.
The don made call while presenting a paper titled “insecurity and journalism in Nigeria: addressing the dilemma of roving journalists”.
Saidu said Nigeria has witnessed different conflicts since its independence, however, with the advent of democratic dispensation, there were political violence, insurgency, terrorism and banditry amongst others.
He added that journalists were much interested in these crises as they strived to respond to the calling of their profession.
He noted that the noble profession of journalism is sometimes a risky adventure, adding that the dangers journalists face are not limited to conflict zones.
“Covering politics, religion and other social activities have their associated risks.
“This makes it mandatory for journalists to always remain professional in the discharge of their duties; adhering to the ethics of journalism has the capacity to reduce the risks that journalists may face,” the don said.
In his remarks, Alhaji Abdurrahman Nuhu Bayero, Dan Iyan Zazzau, the Chairman of the Occasion, advocated for a better pay package for journalists across the country.
He also called for an end of “Your ID Card is Your meal ticket” policy by some private media houses in the country.
Dr. Suleiman Balarabe, Acting Provost, Federal College of Education Zaria re-echoed the need for journalists to cross check, and recheck the information they have before going on air.
He said journalists must also learn to be accurate, balanced and fair in their reportage to justify the trust reposed on them by their teaming audience
