By: KABIRU BASIRU FULATAN
The President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahya, has urged online journalists across the country to uphold professionalism, accuracy and ethical standards in their reporting, warning that the credibility of digital journalism depends on truth rather than speed.
The NUJ president made the call in a speech delivered on his behalf by the National Trustee, Zone A, Comrade Abbas Ibrahim, during the inauguration of the Online Chapel of the NUJ Jigawa State Council held on Tuesday at the NUJ Press Centre in Dutse.
He congratulated the leadership and members of the newly inaugurated chapel for meeting the constitutional requirements of the union, describing the development as a significant milestone that reflects their commitment to professionalism, unity and the advancement of journalism.
According to him, the rapid growth of online journalism has transformed the media landscape by providing instant access to information, expanding the reach of news stories beyond national borders and creating opportunities for multimedia storytelling.
He noted that digital platforms have become indispensable tools for news dissemination, public engagement and democratic participation, adding that the inauguration of the Online Chapel demonstrates the union’s commitment to embracing innovation while preserving the core values of journalism.
The NUJ president, however, cautioned that the opportunities created by online journalism also come with serious challenges, including the spread of misinformation, fake news, sensational reporting, plagiarism and cyber threats.
He said the pressure to break stories first should never override the responsibility to verify facts before publication.
“As members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, you are ambassadors of truth and accountability. Verify information before publication, respect the dignity and privacy of individuals, avoid hate speech and ensure that fairness, balance and accuracy remain the hallmarks of your work,” he said.
He stressed that public confidence in online journalism depends on responsible reporting and adherence to professional ethics rather than the speed with which news is published.
The NUJ president also assured members that the National Secretariat would continue to strengthen the capacity of online journalists through training, mentorship and ethical guidance to ensure that digital journalism in Nigeria remains credible and globally competitive.
He charged members of the newly inaugurated chapel to remain united, defend press freedom, promote ethical journalism and contribute to national development through responsible reporting.
The ceremony ended with the formal inauguration of the Online Chapel of the NUJ Jigawa State Council, marking what participants described as a new chapter for online journalism in the state.(Checks Naija)
