Sheikh Gumi Must Apologise To Journalists

…………Tasks Journalists on professionalism

The Nigerian Press Council, said Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Abubakar Gumi must apologize publicly to journalists for his unguided utterance and Journalists in the country.

This is as it called on Journalists, to aim at upholding the tenets of journalism profession, lamenting that most journalists are reporting rumors in place of news.

Secretary-General, Nigeria Press Council, Mr. Francis Nwosu, stated that the time has come for non professional Journalists who are painting the noble profession bad to be shown the way out.

He said Journalism is a noble profession, but regretted the rising business interest of media owners against the ethics and codes of professional Journalism.

“Also, publishers are now after money, they don’t bother about the Code of Ethics guiding the profession. Rumours has taken over everything; Newspapers don’t sell up to 50,000 copies per day.

“So there is need for NUJ and Guild of Editors to rise to the challenge for the future of journalism in the country and they can only do that by falling in line with NPC and the Code of Ethics.

“I am saying this with a heavy feeling. Many owners of media houses find it difficult to differentiate between journalism and journalism business. They don’t care if journalists’ salaries are paid or not,” Nwosu said.

Mr. Nwosu called on Journalists to take in to cognizance, that if the codes and ethics of Journalism are thrown into the background, because of business interest. The noble profession will sink in to vocation and not a profession again.

He said he was worried that Journalists are seeing regulations as a way to cage the press. He said that should not be seen that was.

Nwosu stated that regulations are to keep Journalism and Journalists on track to maintain the ethics and code that keep the professionalism of Journalism.

“But when there is no regulation, it is no longer a profession but a vocation. Regulation is not to gag the press, it is to ensure adherence to the code of ethics and enhance professionalism.

“There is need to remove quackery and unwanted persons, unacceptable activities that damage the name of the profession.

“You heard of the insults by Sheikh Abubakar Gumi against journalists. It was absolutely unfortunate, but I stand to condemn the statement.

“The cleric should withdraw that statement and give Nigerian journalists the honour they deserved.”, Nwosu concluded.

Source: NAN