From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin.
The Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, has cautioned journalists against unethical practices such as yellow journalism.
Professor Sulaiman made the call recently during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Kwara State Councils, to his residence in Ilorin.
He emphasised the importance of balanced and fact-verified reporting, particularly on issues related to leadership recruitment, politics, and societal challenges.
He also urged Nigerian journalists to uphold the ethics of their profession while performing their duties.
“As the Fourth Estate of the realm, journalists must shun unethical practices and embrace the fear of God in their work. It is crucial to prioritize national interests and avoid the temptation of monetary inducements in addressing Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges,” he stated.
Professor Sulaiman further tasked media practitioners with promoting genuine narratives to foster national development and advised them to demonstrate patriotism in their reportage.
Earlier, the NUJ Kwara State Chairman, Abdullateef Ahmed, solicited the DG’s support for training opportunities to enhance the capacity of journalists in the state.
Ahmed also assured Professor Sulaiman of the union’s commitment to combating fake news and unethical practices in the profession.
The courtesy visit underscores the importance of collaboration between media stakeholders and institutions in promoting ethical journalism and addressing Nigeria’s developmental challenges.
