By Bruno Njoku
There has always been a covenant between journalism, governance and the society. As agent of social, political and economic change in any society, accuracy and truthfulness in the provision and dissemination of information by journalists to the citizenry is of paramount importance.
In this day and age some journalists have devised ways of distorting information and deliberately write nonsense probably because they think it will appeal to their audience and make their news sell faster. The import of this is that such journalists end up having credibility issues.
A true journalist must have integrity, be passionate about informing the public in a candid manner, always seeking the truth and to always be very objective and fair in his reportage even when it involves those he dislikes.
With respect to Tan Hong Kai “Journalism anywhere should be based on social justice and impartiality, making contributions to the society as well as taking responsibility in society. Whether you are a Capitalist, Socialist or Marxist, as a journalist you should have professional integrity”.
It is pertinent to mention here that government administrations in Imo State have at different times had altercations with journalists in the state as a result of incorrect, inconsistent and unfounded stories published by some of the media houses in the state.
Ray Ekpu of Newswatch once said “A well written story must be fair, complete and balanced”.
During the recent visit of the Imo state chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalist to the Government house Owerri, the Deputy Governor of Imo State, His Excellency Prince Eze Madumere, reminded the journalists that journalism is an agent of progressive social change, it is what maintains democracy and advocated for total professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
He highlighted the importance of objective journalism fairness and honesty as a means of assisting the government deliver the dividends of democracy, noting that destructive journalism should be condemned because it is an ill wind that blows no one any good.
I hold the same opinion with His Excellency because I believe that news reportage should be devoid of any contradictions. Men of the press should be dialectical in their approach to news gathering and the publishing of same. There is a need for a paradigm shift in the order of news collection, writing and dissemination.
The ability of journalists to show discipline in news verification process elicits change and helps them to act as watchdogs of the society. This presupposes that the citizens use the work of journalists as a means of knowing what is going on in the society.
According to his Excellency Prince Eze Madumere, by accentuating the work of the Rescue mission of the government of Owelle Rochas Okorocha, journalists will be help in the building a lasting legacy for the people of Imo State. He emphasized the dangers of being disproportionately negative in news reportage adding that keeping news in proportion is an essential principles and cornerstone of journalism.
While donating IPADS, Laptops and other materials to the NUJ Imo state chapter to assist them with the setting up of their chapel, His Excellency Prince Eze Madumere reminded the journalists that as a government that operates open door policy, the efforts of the government of Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha to move Imo State forward are there for all to see, noting that access to information is one of the natural measurements and indicator of a democratic government.
He reiterated the fact that whenever events are sensationalized and the truth neglected in news reporting, it could lead to diatribe which can cause unnecessary tension within the polity stressing that the importance of news makes it utterly imperative that journalists owe the society a responsibility to voice out their conscience and also to allow others the opportunity to do so.
Journalist should realize that the sensationalizing and personalizing of stories, over reliance on insufficient information and the superficial treatment to such news prevents critical coverage of very essential progress made the state government.
As Practitioners’ of a profession that is central to the development of the political culture of the people, there is need to emphasize professionalism at the expense of monetization of this noble profession. Editorial freedom and professional ethos has to be reinvented.
A complete story must take into account the fact that though its proportion and comprehensiveness may be subjective, its’ ambiguity does not in any way lessen the significance of the story.
That said, journalism like any other profession should be willing to question their own work and allow their works to be questioned by others and be able to differ in opinion if fairness and accuracy demand they do so and that is what ethics is all about.
I believe that there is an empty space for quality journalism underpinned by a strong degree of trust in that space. Even though this noble aspiration may not be always achieved, it should be a motivator to every journalist.
Robust and qualitative news will be a welcome step towards addressing a failing accountability and sufficiently pursue change towards the way news reporting should be done in this country. There should be morality in the profession especially as it concerns reportage on the life of public officer holders. I am not in any way suggesting complacency here rather, what I am saying is that failures of journalism does reflect in content and undermines credibility even when journalists attempt to act in the public interest.
