Taraba speaker urges journalists to abide by profession’s ethics

The speaker of Taraba state House of Assembly, Joseph Albasu Kunini, Monday urged practicing journalists in the state to abide by the ethnics of the pen profession. 

The speaker, who stated this in Jalingo when he organised end of the year party for  members of the Correspondents Chapel said no one will deprive  practicing journalists from covering the activities of  government.

He added that he will run an open door policy that would contribute to better the lives of the people.

 He stated that if journalists are objective in their reportage, nobody will accuse them of being bias or subjective, being the fourth estate of the ream.  

“Gentlemen of the press, please do not misquote  me by thinking that I am dictating to you or teaching you how to do your jobs. No. What I am trying to say is that you should be fair to all parties concerned by giving balance reportage,” he stated.

He said the constitutional role of the press   as practitioners of conventional media, especially in these disorderly and changing times cannot be over emphasised. He added that how well the media are able to disseminate information to over 200 million Nigerians  remain a matter of debate.

He said if  journalists must criticise  government, let it be constructive and not destructive, adding that criticism as it was first instituted by Aristotle was made as a standard of judging well aimed at to direct attention of excellence.

He urged the media to always ensure that they check their facts before going to press to avoid heating up the polity.

He maintained that as nature’s gift to the nation, Taraba has huge economic and tourism potentials that the media can showcase to the world rather than concentrating on issues that will not favour the state positively

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