LAHACA Press Week: Fatonji Urges Journalists To Adhere To Professional Ethics





As the 2023 General Elections are fast approaching, Dr. Stephen Fatonji of the Department of Broadcasting in the Lagos State University (LASU) has urged journalists to adhere strictly to the Nigerian Media Code of Election coverage and desist from personality based reportage.


Fatonji, who was the guest Speaker at the Press Week of the Lagos State House of Assembly Corespondents Association (LAHACA), which held recently at the Lateef Jakande Hall on the Assembly premises, said that studies have shown 

that the Nigerian media tilt towards reporting personality driven campaigns instead of reporting issue-based campaigns. 


The lecturer then encouraged the journalists not to yield to the temptation of reporting personality attacks, which he said are perpetuated by political parties. 
































"The basic principles of election coverage as entrenched in the Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage are equitable access, professionalism and social responsibility, ethical conduct and political advertisement. Others are hate speech and incitement and conflict sensitivity.


"The media is too important to be left in the hand of the government, businessmen and politicians as they all tend to have vested interest. I will suggest that there should be a publicly owned media conglomerate free from government's control," he said.


He explained that the essence of public-owned media is to give the people a voice, adding that such media would be sponsored through the contributions of the people.


According to him, this would lead to better remuneration for journalists and give the people an opportunity to air their views on issues affecting them.


In his speech at the event, the Chairman of LAHACA, Mr. Olanrewaju Adesanya, commended the members of the association for being part of the event.


Adesanya stressed that the event was another opportunity for members of the association to appreciate God for his protection over them all through the year.


The Chairman them thanked the leadership of the House, led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, for supporting the association, while calling for more collaborations between the assembly and the association.


He used the opportunity to pay glowing tributes to a former member of the House, Hon. AbdulSobur Olayiwola Olawale, who represented Mushin Constituency 2, and who died recently, saying that he was a friend of the association, who would be greatly missed.


Also speaking, Chairman of the Organising Committee of LAHACA 2022 Press Week, Mr. Faith Adebola, expressed appreciation to the association for an opportunity to serve.


Adebola, who recounted some of the things that went into the event, said that the association would not relent in its efforts to be relevant in the scheme of things in the assembly.







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