By DADA AYOKHAI
Online media practitioners in Edo State have been charged to apply the journalistic ethics of impartiality, fairness, and balance in their framing of stories if they are to be taken seriously
The chairman of the Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Festus Alenkhe issued this charge in Benin during a meeting with a delegation of online media practitioners at the Union’s secretariat
Comrade Alenkhe admitted that online media has come to stay but urged its practitioners to imbibe the journalistic tenets to be able to contribute meaningfully to the growth of society
The online media delegation team was led by its interim secretary, Mr. Sam Dada Ayokhai
Under its umbrella body, the Online Media Practitioners Association, Edo State chapter has gained momentum both in membership and relevance in recent times.
Reading from the NUJ Constitution, Comrade Alekhe reeled out the Union position on requirements for online media to be inculcated into the journalism body in Nigeria.
He urged the online media to unite to rid the professions of the nefarious activities of quacks who are trying to give it a bad name.
Admitting the media industry has undergone tremendous and fast-paced revolutions, Comrade Alekhe said the Union had no other option but to accept the reality of the existence of online media.
Further describing the advent of the Association as a “fait accompli”, Comrade Alekhe urged the body to ensure its members stick to the tenets of the journalistic profession to avoid litigations while also pledging his Union’s support for the body
All he said, “There should be a high level of difference between Facebook writers and online media practitioners. The ethics and tenets of journalism must be upheld at all times.
“The Association must also be ready to weed out the quacks and others who are inclined to do things that will soil or ruin its hard-earned recognition and trust. This requires being alert as well as keeping your eyes constantly open to avoid those pitfalls that can result in the Association being engaged in endless squabbles and litigations.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Mr. Dada Ayokhai informed the NUJ state chairman that the Association has grown in leaps and bounds in terms of membership and acceptability by the larger society.
Ayokhai brief the Union chairman on the Purpose and efforts by the Association leadership to weed it of quacks and bad elements, insisting by the time the internal self-cleansing efforts are concluded, the Association would be better off for it.
