Journalists should observe ethical standards and adhere strictly to professional codes to stem fake news, discussants at a seminar, on Monday in Ibadan advised.
The intervention seminar orgaised by the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Oyo State Council had as topic: “Responsible Reporting in the Era of Insecurity and Fake News.”
Discussants at the seminar were unanimous that professionals have a responsibilty to counter the spreading narrative of fake news due to activities of citizen journalists on social media.
Mr Taiwo Adisa, a former Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and an editor with the Tribune Newspaper, urged journalists to intensify their roles as purveyors of factual and balanced news stories.
He said, “journalists should do a lot of gatekeeping to rid society of fake news as they’ve got to live for the truth
” Journalists must get clarification or authentication from the police, army, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) before rushing to publish their stories.
” Anything short of verifying of news before publishing is not responsible reporting ” said Adisa
He also said that government should be challenged to say the truth at all times and do their job.
“It is not enough giving excuse of not being in charge of security in their states,” Adisa said.
Adisa also tasked journalists to hold governments at all levels responsible for the security of lives and property of citizens.
Also, Mr Adebayo Sekoni, the Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria, Ibadan, advised journalists to work within the confines of the constitution and statutes regulating media practice in Nigeria.
Sekoni further tasked journalist to ensure that reports to be published or broadcasted comply with the elements of a news story – accuracy, factual, objective, balance and respect for human dignity and privacy.
He said that with the security challenge in the country, journalists need to be responsible and circumspect before publishing stories and videos related to terrorism, conflicts, mass killing and the likes as uncomfirmed stories could do great deal of harm.
In his welcome address, Mr Akeem Abas, the state Chairman of the NUJ, said that the seminar was a critical call to duty, conscience and responsibility at a defining moment of the country’s history.
Abas said the media landscape was under severe pressure from insecurity, misinformation, fake news, cyber manipulation and unethical journalism practices capable of threatening national unity and public confidence.
” Anybody with a smartphone suddenly assumes the role of a journalist, unverified information spreads within seconds, while reputations are destroyed without evidence.
” False reports capable of causing violence, ethnic tension and public panic are recklessly circulated without consideration for consequences
” Journalists, must rise above this, we must never allow desperation for traffic, headlines, popularity or financial gain to destroy the integrity of journalism painstakingly built over decades by media veterans and defenders of democracy ” Abas said.
Mr Augustine Padonu, the Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Oyo State Command, tasked journalists to always verify information relating to security before going to press.
Padonu, represented by DSC Oluokun Adeyemi, also called for a closer working relationship between security agencies and media.
