By: AbdulHafeez Oyewole
The International Press Centre (IPC) on Friday engaged executive members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and print/online media leaders in Kwara State in a dialogue on professionalism, ethics, inclusivity, and welfare in journalism.
The interface organised by IPC funded by the European Union under EU-SDGN programme, held in Ilorin, brought together media practitioners to reflect on the role of the press in promoting credible information, particularly as elections draw near.
Ethics and Inclusive Coverage
In his keynote address, IPC Executive Director Mr. Lanre Arogundade urged journalists to recommit to the ethics of the profession by ensuring accuracy, impartiality, and fairness in their reporting.
“Journalists must not give room for personal bias in news coverage. Our calling is to sanitize the media space of disinformation and misinformation, particularly around electoral matters,” Arogundade said.
He also emphasized inclusive coverage, stressing the importance of spotlighting the experiences of women and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Beyond exposing lapses, he noted, the media must highlight campaign promises fulfilled and positive governance outcomes.
Other points from his address included: Promoting civic education and encouraging women’s active political participation; leveraging journalism to drive societal change; demanding insurance cover during high-risk assignments such as elections; pursuing self-development and diversification, including publishing books on specialized beats; and strengthening self-regulation within the profession.
“Don’t underestimate the power of the media. We are not handicapped,” he added.
NUJ’s Position
Kwara NUJ Chairman Mr. ‘Lanre Ahmed described the dialogue as timely, warning that the prevalence of misinformation and disinformation remains a major concern.
He highlighted Kwara’s relative progress in gender inclusion, noting that five members of the NUJ state council executive are women, and urged the IPC to create a platform for continuous collaboration and support.
Welfare and Safety Concerns
Participants at the interface called for improved welfare and safety for journalists, including: comprehensive insurance schemes, especially for election coverage, better salaries and working conditions and an end to reliance on media outlet/NUJ ID cards as a substitute for livelihood.
They also advocated for stronger media involvement in setting the agenda for women’s political participation, with religious and traditional leaders playing supportive roles.
Next Steps
The IPC announced plans to provide virtual training, investigative reporting sponsorships, and international exchange opportunities for Nigerian journalists.
Arogundade concluded by stressing the need for the media to self-regulate before statutory regulation takes hold, noting that adherence to ethics enhances credibility and opens opportunities for practitioners.
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