Don tasks Journalists on strict adherence to ethics

Ethics

Kano, Dec. 15, 2029 A Lecturer in Mass Communication Development, Bayero University, Prof Balarabe Maikaba, has advised Journalists in the country to adhere strictly to their professional code of ethics for the development of the country.

Maikaba gave the advice while delivering a lecture entitled:”Media and Good Governance, Issues and Challenges” at the Award/Appreciation Night organised by the Kano Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists held in Kano on Saturday night.

The lecturer, who was a Guest Speaker at the occasion, also advised Journalists to desist from, “blackmail,  yellow journalism and sensational reporting”.

Maikaba, who lamented the poor living conditions of journalists in the country, called on the Federal and State Governments to take urgent steps to address the problem.

“As members of the fourth estate of the realm, journalists deserve better pay packages, just like their colleagues in developed countries, considering the risks and hazards attached to their job,” he said.

On good governance, Maikaba described good governance as “the most important factor in eradicating poverty and promoting development”.

According to him, the media had significant roles to play in promoting all aspects of good governance in the country, especially by checking the excesses of government and those occupying public offices.

“The role of the media in promoting good governance is obvious. This is because all aspects of good governance are facilitated by the existence of strong, pluralistic and independent media,” he said.

He said despite the fact that the media is contributing to good governance in the country, it is, however, facing a  number of challenges such as self censorship for fear of reprisal attacks.

He noted that to achieve good governance, all sections of the society not only the media, had to contribute their quota to institutional growth.

NAN reports that among dignitaries who attended the event were ; Sen.Barau Jubril, Sen. Alhassan Doguwa, Commissioner of Information, Malam Muhammad Garba,  Dr. Sule Ya’u Sule, former Director of Press and Public Relations to ex-Governor Ibrahim Shekarau and the first chairman of Kano NUJ, Prince Ajayi Memaiyeton.

Others were, representatives of the state Commissioner of Police, Director of DSS, Comptroller of Customs, Commandant of Nigeria Immigration Training School, Kano as well as Heads of media outfits in the state, among others.

/ MTM

Edited by: Philip Dzeremo/Tukur Muntari

(NAN)