Panellists at the 2023 Amplify In-depth Media (AIM) Conference & Awards, at Abuja Continental Hotel in Abuja, have emphasised the need for journalists to verify information before they are published.
One of the panellists, Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operations, The Nation Newspaper, urged media Organisations to always verify their stories to avoid litigation.
‘Editors must ensure accuracy, fairness and objectivity in discharging their duties’ Alli stated.
He said news stories must be evident-based stories that can be defended at any time.
Alli decried absence of competent Editors in most of the newsroom in some media organizations.
The Associate Professor, Pan-Atlantic University, Ngozi Okpara says journalism with mindset of ethical consideration is the right way to go in achieving balance news writing.
She explained that ethics is doing the right thing through the power of gatekeeping to avoid litigation and libel.
While elaborating on credibility of news sources, Lami Sadiq, Head, Investigations, Daily Trust, called for regulation of social media, control misinformation and fake news. According to her, ethical principles must be adhered to, in the interest of national unity.
Azubuike Ishiekwene, Editor-in-Chief, Leadership Newspaper and moderator of the session cautioned media professionals against misinformation and digital manipulation. He urged the Journalists promote accuracy, verify their sources before publication.
Samson Folarin, Weekend Features Editor, Punch emphasized on gate keeping process a must for all Editors.
According to Folarin, all stories go through the editor to avoid libelous and defamatory content in the story.
He called for re-training programme for all media professionals, and urged journalists to obey code of ethics.
