By Uzair Adam Imam
The International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT), Nigeria Office, Kano, organized a one-day workshop to combat unethical reporting narratives in the state.
The workshop, held on Saturday, focused on the ethics of journalism and was themed “Guide to Best Islamic Practices.”
The event was in collaboration with the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Kano state chapter and took place at the NUJ Secretariat in Kano.
Dr. Bala Muhammad, a veteran journalist and lecturer at Bayero University’s Department of Mass Communication, emphasized the significance of the workshop.
He urged journalists to adhere to ethical reporting, reminding them that they will be accountable to Allah for the information they disseminate.
Dr. Ibrahim Siraj, a senior lecturer at Bayero University’s Department of Mass Communication, presented a paper titled “Ethics of Journalism.”
He stressed the need for professional reporting and defined ethics as “forms of behavior and conduct that are socially correct based on the core values cherished and upheld by society.”
Dr. Siraj criticized biased reporting, particularly in the western media, and lamented that the failure to follow ethical journalism practices would lead to a “mess” in the profession.
He also specifically criticized a recent report by Sahara Reporters on the Hisbah controversy regarding LGBT, describing it as “unjournalistic.”
Dr. Siraj emphasized the importance of truthfulness, fairness, credibility, and objectiveness in reporting, adding that religious and political inclinations should not influence journalists’ reports.
The NUJ President, Comrade Abbas Ibrahim, commended IIIT for collaborating with them to host the workshop, which was attended by journalists from various media organizations in the state and journalism students from Bayero University, Kano state polytechnic, and Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies.