GM Accuses Journalists of Biased Reportage

The General Manager, Nigeria Standard newspapers, Mr Jonathan Ishaku, has accused some journalists of always carrying personal bias into their reportage.

Ishaku suggested that journalists should operate like soldiers and see things beyond religious and tribal limitations so as to help Nigeria to overcome its current security and political challenges.

“I think journalists in Nigeria carry their bias and prejudices into their media reports. “In places where tribes and religions contend, we do not look at issues professionally. We end up amplifying rather than reducing tension,’’ Ishaku said in Jos on Sunday.

“Practically all issues in the country have some religious, tribal or economic undertones. Journalists should be dispassionate so as to help Nigerians to know the truth and ensure a better society.”

He urged journalists to remain on the side of peace and promote it, noting that newspapers would not be there if there was no peace.

“We must demonstrate total interest in a united and indivisible Nigeria. We should never be seen to compromise that.

“Journalists should never take sides with persons or groups seen as not interested in the unity and indivisibility of the country.’’

On the way out of Nigeria’s security challenges, he said security agents and the government must be “very serious and sincere’’ in tackling violence and its perpetrators.

“I believe we shall make a headway if government stopped looking at faces.

“There are reports that some people arrested over some of the violence in Plateau and other parts of the country, for instance, were freed over some unstated reasons. This should not be so.

Ishaku said the government should punish culprits found to be responsible for any violence to deter other perpetrators.