Report objectively, NUJ Chairman tells journalists

Journalists in Akwa Ibom State have been urged to do the needful in order to sustain the peace, unity and development required under democracy through balanced and objective reportage.
The chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, Elder Patrick Albert gave the charge recently at a non-violence campaign seminar with the theme “The Church: That Change Agent in a Challenging Environment” organized by the Methodist Young Men Fellowship at Emmanuel Methodist Cathedral, Itiam Etoi, Uyo.

  Albert, who spoke on the topic: Media as Change Agent in Managing Attitudinal & Social Violence in the Society, said as shaping tools of a society, journalists must constantly act in ways and manners that would prove that they are useful change agent, bearing in mind that management and dissemination of information are very vital for the success of democracy.
The Chairman noted that though journalists, due to their operative medium, often come under ownership influence, the union as a responsible professional body, emphasizes on the need for members to carry out their duties without compromising the basic ethics of the profession.

“Journalists must constantly act in circumstances that will prove that they are positive change agent. Management and dissemination of information count enormously for the success of democracy.

“I must admit that journalists based on their medium, often come under ownership influence. But as a responsible professional body, we encourage our members to operate without compromising the basic ethics of the profession. Reporters have to decipher State interest, i.e. – public interest against the personal interest of the proprietor and to ensure that in the sum total, the State vis-à-vis the society should be protected at all times, especially against tyranny or inordinate ambitions of the political class,” he explained.

According to him, if the State goes up in flames through unguarded news reports or breaking news that comes to break the society, it is the common masses who suffer, as they have no wherewithal to run into safe havens in the face of imminent crisis like the elites.

  The chairman observed that promoters of violence hardly suffer the consequences in that, they always run to safety or have means of protecting themselves, reminding public functionaries and politicians to place the interest of the State above primordial or sectional considerations and to cultivate the spirit of sportsmanship in order to achieve peaceful general elections coming ahead.

Albert emphasized that politics of 2015 should not destroy the ranks within the state, and her long cherished unity, love and togetherness as people of common stock and destiny.

He recalled that NUJ has through congresses, workshops and at every event sensitized members towards meeting professional and public expectations.
“We are taking advantage, as one of the largest media markets in Nigeria, after Lagos and Abuja with over 100 local tabloids, 40 National Newspapers/Magazines and eight (8) electronic stations and a numerical strength of over 712 members, to reach out to the people to influence them positively,” he added.

   The NUJ boss pledged the determination of the Union to continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to carry out voters’ education so as to sufficiently enlighten the people on their rights to vote for credible candidates of their choice in all leadership positions in the forthcoming election.
  He made known that the Union was going to have a Live Interactive Session/Debate with all gubernatorial candidates and others so that they will come before the public to give details on their vision and programmes to the people.

The Chairman also said that the NUJ will in addition encourage Media houses such as Television and Radio stations to broadcast other forms of media education and entertainment, aimed at encouraging positive attitudes on non-violence.

  The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, Mr. Gabriel Achong, who spoke on the “Role of Security Agencies in Curbing Electoral Violence,” said the task before security agencies especially the Nigeria Police force in ensuring a free, fair and violence-free election in the electoral process cannot be over-emphasized.

  Achong said the functions of police officers on election duties are to ensure the security of lives and property of citizens before, during and after voter registration, campaigns and voting; safeguarding electoral officers and materials before, during and after election; providing a free, safe and a level playing ground for all candidates and parties without fear and maintaining order around the polling and counting centers.

He explained that the Akwa Ibom State Police Command under his watch has in order to ensure free, fair and violence-free elections identified all the potential flash points, carried out pre-emptive raids on criminal hide outs and prompt response to any report of insecurity during the 2015 general elections.
  The CP added that the Command have adequately collaborated with other sister security agencies to develop a well-coordinated strategy that would increase the effectiveness of the security forces, and had already conducted other electoral threat assessment and security plans in advance of the election day.  

 The chairman of the session, Sir Ntiense Effanga pointed out that election is not won in one polling booth, but by collations of all votes from all polling units, as such supporters should not claim success at announcement from one poll.

Effanga encouraged youths to ensure that they get their Permanent Voter Card (PVC) to exercise their franchise since the result will be based on the vote cast, noting that playing the game by the rule would bring peace while failure to adhere to the rules could cause disaffection that could lead to violence