By Hassana Yakubu
Kaduna – The senator representing Kaduna Central, Sen. Shehu Sani, on Monday urged journalists not to compromise the truth in the course of their duties.
Sani said during a visit to the headquarters of the Kaduna State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) that journalists were the light of the society and must not compromise the truth in any way.
Sani said “I am here to encourage you to continue to pursue the ethics and values of the profession with courage, strong spirit and determination to tell the truth and remain focused on your values.’’
According to him journalists all over the world have a duty to uphold oversights functions on people in position of authority.
“You have moral duties to speak for those who can’t speak and to stand for those who cannot, and continue to project values, ethics and also guide people in position of power to remain on the very promises they have made.”
Sani added that “journalists are supposed to be custodians of freedom of democracy and of principle of liberty in the society.”
He urged them to continue to be unbiased in their reportage and continue to hold people in position of authority accountable.
“As journalists humanity depends on you to keep the ship of state glowing.
“Journalism is a good profession but very dangerous when you stand on truth as truth most times come into conflict with the interest of politicians and people holding political offices,“ he said.
The senator commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the efforts made to significantly address the problem of insecurity and corruption in the country.
Sani however said if the fight against corruption must succeed, it must not be limited to people who are out of power.