From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Comptroller of Prisons, Kogi State Command, Mr Matyns Appebende has challenged practising journalists on the need to always cross-check facts and reflect both sides in their publications.
Appebende made the call during a courtesy call on the chairman of Kogi Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhaji Adeiza Momoh-Jimoh in Lokoja.
The Comptroller explained that he was always bothered when newsmen churn out reports without proper investigation or confirmation to reflect both sides of the matter.
“My appeal is that anytime you have information, efforts should be made to cross-check the facts before publication”, he said.
Appebende said, “In Africa, once you are new in a place, you acquaint yourself with the people on ground for constant synergy. My predecessor told me you have had a good working relationship with.
“Your worth and responsibility as journalists cannot be undermined or wished away. You are the window to the outside world.
“I wish to request that during my stay here and even after, a good working relationship with you in the areas of enlightenment of the public on the roles of the Prison Commend in the state”, he said.
While responding, the NUJ Kogi Council chairman, Adeiza Momoh-Jimoh said practising journalists in the state were responsible who were out to make rather than mar people.
He assured that the NUJ in the state was committed to the ethics of the profession and would not tolerate unprofessional practices.
Momoh-Jimoh however, told the Comptroller that not all publications emanate from core journalists in view of the infiltration of non-professionals publishing on-line stories that may be below standard.
“This is the era of New Media where every body who can afford N10,000 android device becomes automatic journalist and reports from anywhere.”
The chairman however, pledged the cooperation of the union with the Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS) and assured of ethical, balanced and professional reportage in the state.
