The declining integrity and abuse of ethics by some media practitioners both in the digital and mainstream media space have attracted the attention of a group of senior media practitioners who have called for quick intervention to stem the trend.
The call was made Thursday in Lagos at the maiden rendezvous of the Network for Media Excellence, NME, a group promoting professionalism in the Nigerian media.
The NME, consisting of seasoned media practitioners, frowned at the unprofessional conduct of some practitioners, especially on new media platforms, while advocating for an establishment of corrective processes to promptly redress the situation.
“The continuous abuse by some media amateurs, especially bloggers who claim to practice citizen journalism, is creating growing ethical challenges in our beloved profession. There is the need for senior media managers to provide an ethical compass and promote professionalism in the media to arrest this dangerous trend,” said Femi Akintunde-Johnson, seasoned journalist and convener of NME.
Also speaking at the rendezvous, Dr. Kunle Hamilton, President, ShaddaiVille Ministries, called on practitioners not to allow their profession to be dragged in the mud by charlatans masquerading as journalists.
In his contribution, Mr. Gboyega Okegbenro, a sports journalism veteran and CEO of Peachtree Communications, called for concerted efforts towards rescuing the profession, while calling on NME to rise up to its vision of advancing the dictates of media law and ethics in Nigeria.
Other discussants at the rendezvous included Mr. Mayor Akinpelu, Publisher, Global Excellence; Mr. Lanre Arogundade, Director, International Press Centre; Mr. Akin Adeoya, Publisher, M2 & CEO, Marketing Mix; Mr. Tokunbo Modupe, CEO, TPT International; Actor/Producer Patrick Doyle; Akin Adeoya, Publisher, M2 & CEO, Marketing Mix; and Mayor Akinpelu, Publisher, Global Excellence Online; Joe Dudun, foremost Scriptwriter; Yemi Akinbode, MD, Transnegotiation Inc; Tosin Ajirire, Group Entertainment Editor, The Sun; Nseobong Okon-Ekong, Editor, Glitterati (ThisDay); Kingsley Momoh (Guguru FM); Folarin Ademosu, Editor, Newsbreak.ng; Azuh Arinze, Publisher, Yes! International magazine; and Mike Effiong, Editor, Ovation International magazine.
The NME, at the rendezvous, assured that it will promote best media practices across traditional and social media platforms through open and covert engagements, advocacy and training where possible.
Meanwhile, the group took time out to recognise and fete two of its distinguished members; Tokunbo Modupe, for receiving the “PR Practitioner of the Decade” award recently, and Lanre Arogundade whose birthday coincided with the rendezvous.