Practising journalists in Katsina State have been advised to always consider the ethics of journalism in reporting security issues in the state.
Dr Bala Salisu-Zango, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Culture, gave the advice on Wednesday when he received on a courtesy visit, some journalists in Katsina, reports the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
According to him, there is a need for practising journalists in the state to always adopt the profession’s ethics, especially through balancing and objectivity in their reportage.
“I Know you are all experienced and seasoned journalists, therefore, I also wish to call on you to help the society with general activities around their environment.
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“And in doing so, I want to appeal to you to be balanced and objective in discharging your duties, as the main cardinal principle of journalism.
“Reporting the security situation in the state, I know it’s equally the task of the journalists, but at times we have to consider the ethics of the profession.
“There are situations whereby, when we laud the issue of insecurity, we are giving a damaging image to the state, not only the people,” the commissioner said.
According to him, the state needs investors, and too much reporting of the security situation is like scaring away people who want to come and invest.
He, therefore, said there was a need for journalists to try as much as possible to give the state a very good image.
“You are all aware that this administration of Governor Dikko Radda is doing all it can in tackling the insecurity in the state, as there is serious improvement,” he said.
He added that journalists were important in any society because they educated and also informed the public on the happenings in their community and what the government was doing.
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According to Salisu-Zango, journalists have a lot of responsibilities to play to society and the government, because they are their mouthpiece.
“You report to the government what’s happening or the problems in the society, and equally you report to the public the policies, programmes and other activities of the government.
“We are happy with how you are conducting your activities in the state,” the commissioner said.
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He, therefore, called on the journalists to give the present administration in the state the same maximum support they gave to the previous government.
According to him, the government is always ready to work with the journalists, and willing to give them the needed support in discharging their responsibilities.
Malam Hamid Sabo, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Correspondents Chapel, said the aim of the meeting was to discuss issues that would assist in moving the state forward.
