Katsina NUJ Begins Registration of Online Journalists Amid Push for Ethical Reporting

Commissioner, academics urge digital media practitioners to prioritise verification, accountability

By our Correspondents | Katsina

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Katsina State Council, has begun the screening and registration of online journalists and digital media practitioners operating in the state, as stakeholders called for stronger professional standards in the rapidly expanding digital media space.

The initiative was announced on Saturday by the state NUJ chairman, Aminu Garba Dandagoro, at a one-day stakeholders’ engagement in Katsina organised under the theme, “Journalism, Democracy and Institutional Renewal: Charting a New Course for NUJ Katsina State.”

Dandagoro said the registration was intended to establish a clearer framework for identifying online journalists and encouraging adherence to professional and ethical standards.

He stressed that the exercise was not designed to prevent people from disseminating information online but to promote greater professionalism among those engaged in journalism.

“This initiative is not about excluding anyone. It is about creating a framework through which online journalists can gain recognition as professionals while being encouraged to uphold the ethics and responsibilities of journalism,” he said.

He urged online journalists in the state to cooperate with the union by providing the information and documentation required for the screening process.

The engagement brought together journalists, academics, government officials and other stakeholders to discuss the changing nature of journalism, the responsibilities of the media in a democracy and the challenges facing practitioners.

Government pledges support for media

Representing the Katsina State governor, Dikko Umar Radda, the commissioner for information and culture, Bala Salisu Zango, commended the NUJ for convening the stakeholders’ meeting and reaffirmed the government’s willingness to work with media organisations.

Zango described the media as an important channel for communicating government policies and programmes, while also providing feedback on the concerns and expectations of citizens.

He said the government had invested more than N1.2bn in the renovation and upgrading of Katsina State Television (KTTV), alongside investments in broadcasting equipment and solar-powered facilities.

Additional radio and television transmission facilities, he added, were also being established, with contracts awarded for some of the projects.

According to the commissioner, the investments were aimed at improving the capacity and reach of state-owned media organisations.

Commissioner backs health checks for journalists

Zango also supported a proposal for regular health screening for journalists, citing the demanding nature of the profession and the pressures associated with news reporting.

He urged journalists to take routine medical examinations seriously, particularly as early detection could help address potential health problems.

The proposal formed part of discussions at the stakeholders’ meeting on measures to improve the welfare of media practitioners in the state.

Call for responsible digital journalism

On the growing influence of online media, Zango said the constitutional right to freedom of expression carried corresponding responsibilities.

He referred to Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which guarantees freedom of expression and the right to receive and impart information, ideas and opinions.

The commissioner urged online journalists to place greater emphasis on verification, fact-checking, attribution and accountability before publishing information.

He said the state government was also considering a screening exercise for operators of online media platforms and social media practitioners involved in news dissemination.

Zango argued that such measures could help address concerns about individuals operating news platforms without sufficient knowledge of journalism ethics, relevant laws and professional standards.

He called for continuous training and capacity building, particularly in areas such as attribution, consent, confidentiality and verification.

He also urged government officials to improve access to information and maintain professional relationships with journalists.

Academics call for reforms

Professor Mukhtar El-Kasim of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, said journalism remained central to democracy and national development but argued that the profession faced significant challenges requiring institutional and professional reforms.

He said journalists inform citizens, explain government policies and provide platforms for public debate, but urged practitioners to address weaknesses within the industry, including divisions among professional bodies and inadequate investment in professional development.

El-Kasim called for greater recognition of journalism as a profession and encouraged practitioners to continually improve their knowledge, skills and competence.

The chairman of the occasion, Professor Sani Abubakar Lugga, Wazirin Ilimin Ƙasar Hausa, also described journalism as an important pillar of democracy.

He said the rapid growth of social media had made it increasingly difficult for the public to distinguish between trained journalists and individuals who simply disseminate information through digital platforms.

Lugga urged the NUJ to develop effective mechanisms for identifying professional journalists while encouraging practitioners to uphold established ethical standards.

NUJ seeks stronger welfare and unity

Dandagoro said the stakeholders’ engagement was also intended to provide a forum for examining the challenges confronting journalists and identifying ways of strengthening the profession in Katsina.

He said the role of journalists extended beyond reporting events to include public enlightenment, peacebuilding, accountability, protection of the public interest and promotion of dialogue.

The NUJ chairman called for greater unity among journalists and stronger institutional support for the profession.

He commended the state government, ministries and agencies, security organisations, civil society groups and other stakeholders for their contributions to the media sector.

Kanwan Katsina urges continuity

Usman Bello Kankara, Kanwan Katsina and District Head of Ketare, congratulated the new NUJ leadership and urged it to build on the achievements of previous administrations.

He specifically acknowledged the contributions of the immediate past NUJ chairman, Tukur Hassan Dan-Ali, to journalism in the state.

Bello also encouraged journalists to take advantage of training and educational opportunities to improve their professional competence.

The meeting ended with calls for greater unity among journalists, improved welfare, continuous professional development, adherence to ethical standards and stronger institutional structures for journalism in Katsina State.

The permanent secretary of the Katsina State Ministry of Information and Culture and former NUJ chairman, Tukur Hassan Dan-Ali, delivered the vote of thanks.