The President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Femi Adesina, on Wednesday urged media practitioners to shun twisting reports for predetermined goals.
Adesina said this is the only way the confidence reposed in them by the public can be upheld and the independence of the profession sustained.
Adesina spoke as a guest lecturer at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Delta State Council Press Week celebration in Asaba, with the topic: “Deepening Democracy in 2015: The Social Responsibility of the Press.”
According to Adesina, the principle of fair-play should not degenerate into foul-play.
He said: “The media must not be an appendage to politicians or their parties. Independence of journalism must not be sacrificed on the altar of mediocrity. The integrity of the profession is only called to question when there is no fair-play. Shun riot media, unethical publication but sustain public trust.
“In interfacing between the Independent National Electoral Commission and the electorates, journalists must play according to the rules. Journalists must be impartial but adhere strictly to the ethics of the profession.
“The media must maintain critical balance and educate the electorates on their rights. We must report on campaigns of different political parties because Nigeria is not a one party state, and allow the parties to ventilate their manifesto, and receive feedbacks from the electorates.”
While he insisted that journalists must shun subversive views that are capable of igniting violence and loss of lives, Adesina said media freedom should encourage practitioners to practice responsible journalism.