By Mustapha Ambali
Premium Times Nigeria Head of Investigation Mr Mojeed Alabi has urged young but adventurous journalists to crosscheck facts before releasing any of their stories into the public domain.
Alabi, who spoke at a public lecture organised by the National Association of Mass Communication Students, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, warned that publishing unverified stories could ruin a society and its inhabitants.
Speaking on the theme of the event, ‘Good news, bad news: Journalism ethics and public interest’ at the university’s multipurpose hall, Mojeed said: “The integrity of a journalist lies in his ability to speak through the ethics of the profession”
“What makes good news depends on how the story is being expressed as well as its reception within the audience.
“Sometimes, how a story is being told is more important to the audience than what is told.
“For instance, BBC report on the Sex-for-Grades Scandal is an example of good news because of the technicalities in the way they reported it.
According to him, bad news is not about roads, air accidents, or other negative occurrences, but a copy that is lacking in virtually all features of good reporting, such as verification, authenticity, distribution and disengagement of its readers.
“Anything can be news but not everything is newsworthy. Any news that does not engage you is a bad news,” Alabi said.
He, however, reminded journalists-in-training that accuracy, accountability, independence, fairness and impartiality, are the five key rules guiding journalism.
He noted that individuals desirous of pursuing money should not think of being a journalist but those committed to impacting the society.
“Change your mind or move to other professions, if pursuit of money is your main aim as a journalist. Reason is: there will always be conflict of interest. As an aspiring journalist, what you need to first build is integrity, which will then fetch you money in future,” Alabi added.
He advised Mass Communication teachers to always emphasise ethics of the profession to their students, adding that this is one way by which the country can be repositioned.
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