By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
Will Lewis has quoted, “Journalistic standards are inevitably slipping. And we’re beginning to see the blurring of facts and comments in a way that I think is extremely worrying and extremely challenging. We have to get people to tighten up.”
As a journalist who believes in the aforementioned quote, I would say the call of the Nigeria Union of Journalists that members of the union should join the Nigeria Labour Congress’s protest, which was to be held on the 7th of June, 2023, was an unethical and unprofessional decision.
Journalism is indeed a profession that involves the gathering, verification, and reporting of news and information to the public. Traditionally, journalists strive to provide accurate, fair, and unbiased reporting, acting as a crucial bridge between the events happening in the world and the general public.
However, it’s important to recognize that journalism is not devoid of social and political implications. Journalists are human beings with their own perspectives, biases, and values that can influence their reporting. While the goal of journalism is to provide objective information, complete neutrality is often difficult to achieve in practice.
Moreover, journalism has evolved over time, and there are different approaches to reporting. Advocacy journalism, for example, involves journalists who take a more active role in promoting specific causes or perspectives. They may see journalism as a tool to bring about social change and address issues of injustice or inequality. While these journalists may be more openly aligned with certain viewpoints, they still strive to maintain accuracy and fairness in their reporting.
On the other hand, there are journalists who adhere strictly to traditional principles of objectivity, seeking to present information without personal biases. They aim to provide balanced coverage and allow readers or viewers to form their own opinions based on the facts presented.
Ultimately, the line between journalism and activism can sometimes blur, particularly in cases where journalists are personally invested in the issues they cover. It is crucial for journalists to maintain transparency about their perspectives and to clearly distinguish between reporting and commentary or opinion pieces.
If we could recall, we will remember that on the 3rd of June, the National President, Chris Isiguzo, and the National Treasurer, Bamidele Atunbi, of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) said members should unanimously adopt the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)’s position on the issue of removal of fuel subsidy and directed members to join the strike purported by the labor group on Wednesday, 7th June 2023.
NUJ in a press statement signed by its National Secretary, Shuaibu Usman Leman, and made available to newsmen in Abuja, said the Central Working Committee of the union deliberated on the issues and found NLC’s position and proposed action worthy as it’s in the interest of Nigerian citizens.
The statement said, “After presentations by the National President, Chris Isiguzo, and the National Treasurer, Bamidele Atunbi on the position taken by NLC on the matter, members unanimously adopted the position of labour union on the issue.”
“CWC reiterates the argument that although the removal of fuel subsidy will free allocations which can be channeled to the provisions of infrastructure and creation of additional jobs, the sudden removal could however lead to social unrest and protests as people may perceive Government as being insensitive to their plight.
“Accordingly CWC directs all state councils of the Union to mobilize members to withdraw their services and commence protests nationwide from Wednesday next week, 7th June 2023, if the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limiter (NNCPL) refuses to reverse the new price regime in the Oil sector.”
No! NUJ got it wrong. journalism is a profession, not activism!
The current policy decision, which involves the removal of government subsidies on petroleum products, has been a source of controversy and conflict in Nigeria and we need to explain how journalists deal with such a current conflict.
Journalists play a crucial role in reporting on conflicts, and the fuel subsidy removal is not excluded, by providing accurate and timely information to the public. They are responsible for gathering facts, conducting interviews, and presenting a balanced view of the situation. In the case of fuel subsidy removal, journalists are expected to be objectively engaged in the various aspects involved in the subsidy removal, such as the economic implications, government policies, public sentiment, and protests, but detach themselves from being an active complainers.
When dealing with a conflict like fuel subsidy removal, journalists must navigate several challenges. Firstly, they may face pressure from different stakeholders with vested interests, such as government officials, industry representatives, and protesters. These parties might attempt to influence the narrative or suppress certain information. Journalists must maintain their independence, resist undue influence, and ensure their reporting remains objective and impartial.
Reputable journalists in any part of the world have been taught to become conflict-sensitive news reporters, not to be activists!