Journalists have been urged to imbibe the ethics of the profession in their reportage as a means of entrenching peaceful coexistence.
This was part of the resolution arrived at at the monthly peace Journalism forum with Interfaith Mediation Centre in Kaduna on Tuesday, June 30, 2020.
While condemning the upsurge of rape in communities, the forum also stressed the need for journalist to carry out extensive research to find out the root causes of the resent escalation in rape cases in Nigeria.
Read full text of Resolution below…
PRESS STATEMENT 30 TH -6-2020
Participants at the Interfaith Mediation Center (IMC) Monthly Forum with media on Peace Journalism resolves as Follows:
The forum observed that some journalists in Nigeria are not abiding by the ethical principles of the noble profession as they indulge in publishing sensational news which end up in harming members of the public.
They stressed that practicing journalist in the country, must always cross check their information and facts and the credibility of their source of news before going to the press so that to avoid causing havoc in the society.
They noted God Almighty will judge any practicing journalist especially in Nigeria that publish any news which harm members of the public.
They called on the practicing journalists in Nigeria to always put Nigeria first in their heart when discharging their social responsibility as well as publish news of peaceful coexistence, so that Nigeria can forge ahead.
They oberserved that there is reduction of crime in some parts of the country, especially in terms of Kidnapping during lockdown, as it has reduce significantly this June, 2020.
They also lament on the high level of rape cases in Nigeria and called on the authorities concencern to take positive action in order to end the menace in Nigeria as a whole.
They stressed that there is urgent need for the practicing journalists in Nigeria to dig deep by conducting a research on the causes of rape in Nigeria.
They lamented over the persistent Farmer and Headers conflict which they noted have greatly led to backwardness of the nation nation’s economy.
They called on governments at all level in the country to quickly intervene when there is any reports of Farmers and Headers conflict so that to avoid losing of lives and destruction of property.
They called on the practicing journalists in the country to fully investigate the conflict between Farmers and Headers as well as, traced the history of the conflict so that to have a lasting peace on the matter in this country.
They alleged that sometimes some selfish politicians in the country are the root cause of the Farmers and Headers conflict in order to achieve their personal selfish interest.
They advocated security men must raise up to their duties, especially to mediate between the Farmers and the Headers in order to curtail the spread of the conflict to other community.
They called on Farmers not to take law into their hand whenever Headers encroach into their Farms but to quickly report to the authorities concerned for possible action.
Signed by: Pastor Dr. James Movel Wuye & Imam Dr. Muhammad Nurayn Ashafa
Co-Executive Directors
Interfaith Mediation Centre, Kaduna State
