Acting Managing Director of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Alhaji Idris Abdulrahman, has urged journalists covering the 2019 Hajj in Saudi Arabia to adhere to the ethics of their profession in the reportage of the exercise.
Abdulrahman, who gave the advice at the National Mosque, Abuja during the induction/ inauguration event for the 2019 Hajj, also called on the journalists concerned to ensure that national interest reflect in their reportage.
The acting Managing Director, in his presentation entitled “An overview of NAHCON’S National Media Guidelines, Dos and Don’ts of Hajj Coverage”, said “We must keep to the ethics of our profession and be conscious of our national interest in the coverage of Hajj operations.
“Ensure that the story you will publish has authentic source and ensure that all sides of the story remain balanced, in the interest of objectivity and fairness,” he said.
The NAN acting boss also called on the members of the media team not to limit their coverage to the aims and objectives of the Hajj but also educate the pilgrims on other issues that would add value to their being in the Holy Land.
In his paper, “Ethics of the journalist in Hajj coverage“, the Director-General, Federal Road Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Dr Mansur Liman also advised journalists, detailed for the coverage, to stick to the main purpose of their assignment in the Holy Land.
Liman called on the journalists to synergise, eschew quarreling, pray for the progress of their families as well as the nation.
“Ensure you disseminate the right information to the pilgrims in order for them to have value for their money and for them to know what to do for a successful Hajj,“ he said.
The FRCN boss advised officials of the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) to assist the journalists by availing them necessary information that would guide them for the effective coverage of the exercise.
The Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Mukhtar Abdullahi, who inaugurated the event, called on journalists for the exercise to cross check sources of their stories before publication and to be conscious of the negative effect of social media to avoid fake news.
According to him, filling the right story about the exercise will not only save their organisations and Nigeria from embarrassment but also boost the cordial relationship between the country and Saudi Arabian authorities.
“The overall objective of your assignment is to promote Islam and Nigeria in the best manner, let your conscience guide you in reporting the Hajj events,” he said.
He assured the pilgrims of the commitment of the commission towards improved 2019 Hajj operation, adding that arrangement had been made to secure for them descent accommodation among others.
The representatives of media organisations, selected to cover the exercise attended the event.
