From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State Council, has urged journalists to exercise caution in reporting the recent encounter between operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Prince Alobi, a staff member of Radio Nigeria’s Canaan City FM 99.5 in Calabar.
The Council expressed concern over media reports portraying the incident in a manner that could mislead the public into believing that the individual involved was a journalist and a member of the union.
In a statement issued to newsmen in Calabar, the Council, led by its Chairman, Comrade Archibong Bassey, described the incident as unfortunate but expressed concern about narratives emerging from some media reports, which it said appeared to have amplified the situation without adequately establishing the professional status of the individual involved.
The Council clarified that Alobi was not a journalist and did not belong to the NUJ, urging journalists and media organisations to exercise caution and avoid presenting the incident in a way that could create a misleading impression about the union’s membership.
It emphasised that working with a media organisation does not automatically confer professional journalist status or establish membership of the NUJ.
The Council, therefore, called on media practitioners to ensure that reports about the incident accurately reflect this distinction rather than rely on assumptions or sensational descriptions.
While acknowledging that the circumstances surrounding the encounter were unfortunate, the NUJ urged journalists to avoid narratives that could inflame public sentiment or exaggerate the situation.
It stressed that journalism requires accuracy, balance, verification and responsible presentation of facts, particularly when reporting incidents involving law enforcement agencies.
The Council also reminded journalists that professional practice requires sound judgment and strict adherence to safety protocols when covering potentially volatile situations.
It cautioned practitioners against putting themselves in harm’s way under the assumption that identifying with the media automatically protects them from the risks associated with confrontations involving security personnel.
According to the Council, trained journalists are expected to gather information through professional engagement, observation and verification while exercising discretion and avoiding unnecessary confrontations with security personnel.
It added that personal safety must take precedence whenever a situation becomes dangerous.
The NUJ further maintained that any allegations of assault or misconduct arising from the incident should be subjected to proper investigation, with all parties given a fair opportunity to present their accounts.
It urged journalists to report such allegations responsibly without prejudgment or distortion of facts.
The Council reaffirmed its commitment to promoting ethical journalism, professional responsibility and constructive relations between the media and security agencies.
It called on journalists to uphold these standards and ensure that their reports inform the public accurately rather than fuel misleading narratives about the incident.
