THE Director, International Press Centre (IPC), Abuja, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, has advised journalists to uphold the media code of ethics to earn respect and relevance in the society.
Arogundade said this in a statement in Abuja as part of activities to mark the World Press Freedom Day.
He enjoined media professionals and organisations to constantly adhere to their code.
“Media organisations must realise that whatever the circumstances, it pays to keep to faith with professionalism and ethics.
“Those who operate strictly on media code of ethics will reap the profit in the long run.
“Those who ignore ethics will smile to the banks today, but possibly come out of the banks crying tomorrow,” the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted Arogundade as saying.
He called on journalists and media organisations to always work for the reduction of conflict and promote peace without compromising themselves in their duty to inform.
On the general elections, Arogundade expressed concern that significant areas of non-compliance with the code of ethics overshadowed the few areas of compliance in the media coverage.
“There are major challenges with the implementation and enforcement of the code.
“The monitoring and the enforcement mechanisms were virtually non-existent,” he said.
Besides, the director called on media regulators and professional bodies to be alive to their responsibilities by monitoring and sanctioning members on adherence to ethics of journalism and broadcasting.