‘Unethical journalists are threats to nation building’

• 972 NMMA entries to be evaluated

Chairman, Board of Trustees Nigeria Media Merit Award (NMMA), Dayo Duyile, has stressed need for journalists to observe ethical standards in their reportage.

Addressing journalists during formal presentation of media award entries to the Chairman Panel of Assessors in Lagos recently, he argued that a journalist that practices his profession unethically is dangerous to the country and himself.

Duyile, a veteran journalist and Deputy Vice Chancelor, Wesley University, Ondo State, observed journalism is the only profession that could move a nation forward and the only profession that gives leaders agenda to follow.

To this end, he suggested, “journalists must always have ethical consideration when writing. Unethical behaviour attracts punishment.

“I teach my students, ethics of journalism, news reporting, newspaper management and others. I’ve also covered many elections. The editor would tell us, report the facts. Former Chaiman / Managing Director and Editor-in Chief of Daily Times, Alhaji Babatunde Jose, would tell us that news is sacred, but comments are free. For instance, during elections, the issue of vote buying or ballot box snatching can be reported, but not manipulated.”

Describing online journalism as the greatest deceit of the world, he noted bloggers reporting online are not trained in journalism.

To the don, “they don’t understand what is called ethics. They always focus on sensationalism. There is a lot of misinformation in online journalism. In Daily Times in those days, if you misinform the public, you are fired. If that standard is maintained now, we will have a very good press.”

Saying NMMA is not taking entries from online journalists, he recalled the organisation was established in 1990 to encourage professionalism among journalists.

Duyile said another objective is also to encourage journalists showcase their skills like other international journalists.

He recalled Alhaji Jose was the pioneer chairman of NMMA and served for ten years.

To the academic, “Alhaji Jose employed myself and former Governor of Ogun State, Segun Osoba. He would tell us that journalists may not get rich but are the most respected people on earth because of their connections and interactions with people that move the country.

“Stepping into Alh Jose’s shoes was another brilliant media professional, Alhaji Alade Odunewu. He used to write under the pen name Allah De. He was one of the most brilliant writers in this country. After his term, we had another brilliant professional, former Director General of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Vincent Maduka. After his tenure, was the former Political Editor of Daily Times Haroun Adamu.”

The don recalled NNMA was the first in Africa, adding that the Board has put in the commitment because of the importance of media in Nigeria.

On his part, member NMMA Board of Trustees, Dele Adetiba, disclosed a total number of 1,112 entries were received for print, radio and television altogether this year For the first time this year, all entries were done electronically.

Noting only 972 entries will be evaluated, he added 27 assessors would evaluate the entries and award ratings.

Adetiba added, there are Professors, Heads of Department of institutions of higher learning and media professionals that would conduct the evaluation.

Describing the assessors as men and women of integrity and competence, he noted, “what stands us out is that the evaluation is done by competent and experienced people. The assessors have about six to eight weeks to do their work.

The evaluation is subsequently presented to the Boad of Trustees. Until the Board of Trustees signs the evaluation, they remain suggestions,” he stated.

Concerning online journalism, he described it as a bit of a jungle, where ethics of the trade are absent and they are not accountable to anyone.

To him, journalism is a serious business and practitioners are well trained.