The Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Ewuare II has
tasked journalists practicing in Edo State on ethical journalism.
He also give his weight behind the move by the leadership of Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to s checkmate quackery in the practice of journalism in Edo State.
The Monarch stated this when the newly elected leadership of the union led by its state chairman, Comrade Festus Alenkhe paid a courtesy visit to the palace where he informed the Oba that his administration would so In generate a compendium of qualified and practicing journalists in the state for ethical checks.
The Oba frowned at journalism and news broadcasts, especially social media mainly for commercial purposes.
He said “If you can successfully carry out this and the other things you have outlined, you would have laid the foundation for your second term. We are not against proper reporting but reporting things without cross-checking or if they report what is not correct because they are in a rush to -please their bosses or make money as I hear some of them do especially in social media is
Earlier, Alenkhe said that his administration has begun a total clean up of the profession to eradicate quackery and professional misconduct in the state adding that Edo NUJ would collaborate with the monarch to develop the kingdom and the state through effective and accurate reportage
Alenkhe commended the Oba of Benin on the efforts he has put in since he ascended the throne to check cases of illegal migration and the ease with which people now develop their acquired land without harassment from hoodlums.
He said “We are going to have a compendium of only qualified and practicing journalists in Edo State. We will use that to check quackery because it is not everybody that carries biro and jotter is a journalist.
“We also thank you for the peace in the kingdom, before now, we heard of forceful extortion as people try to build their houses but that has reduced and the ugly story of illegal migration and trafficking has also been reduced since you came. Most of our people now travel genuinely and engage in genuine business” he said.
