The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River Council, has cautioned against reports portraying Prince Alobi, a staff of Radio Nigeria, Canaan City FM 99.5, involved in a recent encounter with operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Calabar, as a journalist.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Comrade Archibong Bassey, the Council said while the incident was unfortunate, it was concerned about narratives that painted a grim picture of the situation and misled the public into believing a member of the Union was involved.
“For clarity, the individual in question is not a journalist and does not belong to the NUJ,” the statement read.
The Council noted that working in a media establishment does not automatically confer the status of a journalist or membership of the NUJ, urging journalists and media organisations to exercise caution and avoid sensationalism.
It stressed that journalism demands accuracy, balance, verification and responsible presentation of facts, especially when reporting incidents involving law enforcement agencies.
The NUJ also reminded practitioners to adhere to safety protocols and avoid unnecessary confrontation with security personnel, adding that personal safety must take precedence when a situation becomes volatile.
The Council said allegations of assault or misconduct arising from the incident should be subjected to proper investigation with all parties given fair hearing, without prejudgment or distortion of facts.
It reaffirmed its commitment to ethical journalism and constructive relations between the media and security agencies.