LOKOJA – The Nigerian Press Council (NAN) on Sunday urged journalists to always follow the ethics of their profession while carrying out their duties.
This is contained in a communiqué signed by the Acting Executive Secretary of the council, Mr Nnamdi Njemanze, at the end of a training workshop for journalists in Lokoja.
The communiqué urged journalists to exercise restraint in their choice of language in order not to overheat the polity and undermine efforts to achieve a peaceful electoral process.
It advised journalists to exercise professionalism in news gathering and not to compromise the tenets of truth, accuracy, balance, fairness and objectivity in their reportage.
The communiqué urged journalists to be familiar with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the electoral laws, Acts and other electoral regulations, to enhance their ability to strengthen the democratic process.
“Journalists should educate themselves on investigative and interpretative reporting to enrich their reportage.
“They should also involve themselves in voter education in order to enhance the democratic process,” it said.
The communiqué urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to partner the media to ensure the dissemination of appropriate information and effective election coverage in the country.
It advised the media to also collaborate with the relevant agencies/stakeholders in order to enrich their scope and as well as their reportage.
The communiqué urged journalists to always discharge their duties with high sense of patriotism. (NAN)
