The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi State Council, has berated Sahara Reporters for allegedly indulging in junk journalism, by dishing out falsehood and half-baked reports about the state government.
In a statement titled: “Ebonyi NUJ counsels Sahara Reporters to desist from junk journalism,” signed by the Chairman, Nwafor Samson and Secretary, Nnamdi Akpa, the council expressed dismay that Sahara Reporters abandoned ethical journalism to pursue a selfish agenda, apparently to satisfy the wishes of its paymasters.
The council said it had analyzed all the publications made by Sahara Reporters against the state government, taking cognisance of the principles of ethical journalism and found that the medium had betrayed the journalism profession in all ramifications and should bury its face in shame.
The council wondered why Sahara Reporters would dwell on hearsay in reporting events happening in the state, describing the action as the height of irresponsibility.
The council therefore disowned Sahara Reporters, saying the medium has no link with the NUJ and warned the public to be wary of its activities.
It also advised Sahara Reporters to desist from what it described as an inglorious path and fot the medium to tow the path of honour or be remembered in history as a medium of falsehood and lies.
The council further commended journalists and media outfits in the state for operating within the ethics of the profession, assuring them of the council’s continued solidarity with them in all circumstances, provided they continue to adhere strictly to the ethics of the profession.
The statement reads: “The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi State Council, expresses dismay over the recent activities of Sahara Reporters wherein the online media platform completely undermined the principles of ethical journalism in its reportage, dishing out falsehood, fake news and half-baked reports about Ebonyi State, especially the policies and programmes of the state government, in what looks like an effort to do the bidding of its paymasters.
“As a regulatory body for journalists in the state, the council has carefully taken note of all the reports so far published by Sahara Reporters against the people and government of Ebonyi State, properly analyzed all of them, and came to an unbiased conclusion that they all fell short of the letter and spirit of journalism.
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“The council hereby strongly condemns in its entirety these publications by Sahara Reporters against the people and government of Ebonyi State and describes them as a product of junk journalism that should be totally discountenanced.
“The council strongly feels that for Sahara Reporters to be dishing out falsehood, fake news and half-baked reports about Ebonyi State, without having any known staff/ reporter practicing/resident in Ebonyi State to assist it in getting firsthand information as well as making inquiries where and when necessary about events in the state but chose to dwell on a hearsay, simply implies that it’s on a paid mission.
“Moreso, as it made most of these publications without deeming it necessary to get the state government’s own side of the story. The council is not unaware of the fact that Sahara Reporters has overtime become notorious for dishing out falsehood, fake news and half-baked reports to the unsuspecting public, but now that it has taken its madness to Ebonyi State, it has become necessary for the council to speak up against the anomaly by advising Sahara Reporters to desist from junk journalism in order to redeem its already battered image.”
