Adebayo Adenrele
As the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti State Chapter commenced its Press Week today, Journalists around the state converged on the state Secretariat at Oke Bareke, Old Governor’s office to discuss their welfare and sundry matters militating against effective practice of their profession.
The event tagged “Roundtable Discussion on Proffering Solutions to Media Challenges “, which was presided over by Kayode Oni, had in attendance arrays of Journalists from Print, Electronics and New Media.
According to the Chairman of the Union, Comrade Rotimi Ojomoyela, the purpose of the conversation was to discuss matters affecting members of the union and proffer solutions without tampering with the standards, ethics and codes of the profession.
The General Manager, Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State(BSES), Olu Popoola, expressed worry over bad attitudes and poor mode of dressing of some of Journalists, who place premium on blackmailing prominent individuals in order to attract attention and financial gains.
The Chairman, Press Week Committee, Yaquob Popoola, enjoined fellow Journalists to seek alternative means of earning income by thinking outside the box, like venturing into other writing careers which would fetch them more money rather than monthly stipends.
Also, the Chairman of Radio Nigeria, Progress FM Chapel, Niyi Alade equally expressed displeasure over the attitudes of members of the union who take the profession as a means of income, rather than focusing on its standards.
“I think the problem with some of our Colleagues is that we don’t love the job, we are only doing the job because monetary aspect.
“So, I think if we stop seeing this profession as a core source of income then, the public would respect us.”
A legal Icon in the State, Barrister Iyanuoluwa Olumuagun also called on Journalists to modify their standards and not engage in any practice that would go against the ethics of their profession.
More details soon…
