The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has cautioned its members against being used by politicians for unprofessional conduct.
It also warned them against making their platforms available for individuals to settle personal scores.
NUJ noted this in a statement signed by Assistant National Secretary, Akorede Opeyemi.
The union cited complaints from federal ministries and parastatals regarding some groups masquerading as civil societies in cohort with ‘journalists’ to tarnish its integrity.
The statement reads: “Over the past few weeks, the union has been inundated with complaints from government officials and entities – Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Power, Ministry of Finance – and heads of parastatals that some groups masquerading as civil society, in cohort with some ‘journalists’ are out to tarnish their good reputation, alleging corrupt acts.
“While we applaud the commitment of credible groups to expose corruption and demand accountability, we are not unmindful of the antics of a few for personal gains and to settle scores.”
As a union committed to pressing freedom and protection of journalists, we urge our colleagues to be guided by the Code of Ethics of the NUJ and be wary of individuals and entities who, for political expediency and turf protection, are engaged in extra-legal means and ways by allegedly doctoring statements of accounts and photographing buildings, commercial and residential, of some public officials as being corrupt either for personal gains or vendetta.
“If any group feels strongly and is certain of their facts, they should petition the various anti-graft agencies, and even approach the courts for an Order of Mandumus to compel the government to act.
“The union wishes to remind our colleagues of the legal consequences for acts that bother on criminal defamation and libel, and the willingness of these individuals and groups to use journalists as expendables in the event of a legal challenge.
“It behoves the union to remind each and every one of us that liability for libellous publications is not limited to the original author or publisher thereof, but it also extends to and includes all those who, out of sheer ignorance, mischief or malice, or all, cause any libellous publication to be repeated, reposted or re-published, either personally or through any platform for which they have control.
“It is in this regard that the union will not expend energy and scarce resources on matters that ordinarily should have been guarded against.
“However, the union will not shirk away from any case(s) of witch-hunt or harassment and intimidation of any of its members doing their legitimate jobs.”
