Experts task journalists on professionalism, others

Media experts have called on Nigerian Press Council to live up to its responsibility to checkmate bloggers from publishing false information in an attempt to break news. They made this known last week at a media parley organised by First City Monument Bank (FCMB) in Lagos. It had as theme ‘Stimulating Responsible New Media Journalism: A Pathway to International Recognition.’

Journalists were admonished to embrace the ethics of journalism, adding that being truthful and resilient weare the key qualities of a good journalist. United Kingdom-based Channel 4 News’ Mr. Inigo Gilimore charged citizen journalists and bloggers to be cautious of libel and seditious publication.

Gilimore said journalism is in a fast-changing media‎, pointing out that in reportage, journalists must be fair and honest, act independently and respect their country.
“A true responsible journalism can begin to hold journalists accountable,” he said.

On his part, Editor of ‎The Guardian newspaper, Mr. Martins Oloja said the emergence of social media has not diminished the essence of responsible journalism and charged traditional media practitioner to address the depth aspect of journalism, saying that they should embrace responsible and effective journalism.

He added that the emergence of bloggers has now made it imperative for traditional media to engage more in investigative journalism. Oloja urged online media practitioners to be objective and truthful in their reportage and discharge their duties without fear. He said that young people don’t want to hold hard copies of newspaper was true, but that traditional people still want to hold the hard copies.
He noted, “There is nothing to lose; all we need to do is to be resourceful. As journalists, be ready to empower yourself to do your job well”.

Also, the founder of Brilla FM, Dr. Larry Izamoje urged journalists to be cautious in their reportage so as to promote unity and avoid disintegration. He admonished journalists to work for ‎public interest through practise of ethical journalism.

Publisher of TW magazine, Mrs. Adesuwa Onyenokwe said there was need for ethical journalism, adding, “What happened with the new media is that we are our editors. Knowing the rules of the profession and what the five Ws (why, when, where, how and what) stand for is still very important.”

She stressed that the print media would never die and said, “At the end of the day you are creating your own digital footprint. The person that gives me the meat of the news counts. Those in the social media should think about sustainability.”
‎The speakers, therefore, called on media proprietors to train journalists, as education is the light in this new age. They also called on blog owners to form an association that would regulate what they publish‎.