Concerned journalists in Plateau State have strongly condemned a purported attack on the State Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mrs Ayuku Pwaspo, by a supposed member of the Plateau publishers Association, Mr Andrew Nanyak.
The group made the condemnation in a statement signed and issued to newsmen in Lokoja on Tuesday.
The journalists rejected what they described as an attempt by Mr. Nanyak popularly known as Shaks, to blackmail, disparage and undermine the integrity of the NUJ Chairman
Nanyak was alleged to have attacked Mrs Pwaspo for not handling the leadership crisis in the state Correspondents Chapel as expected, and ciirculated on social media.
The group described Nanyak’s comments as very unfortunate and an effort to create unnecessary division among journalists, particularly the NUJ leadership and the Plateau State Government.
According to the group, journalists in the state had collectively passed a vote of confidence in the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Rt. Hon. Joyce Ramnap.
“That decision was taken in the interest of the profession and should not be misconstrued as an attack on any individual or group.
“It’s also not true the alleged claim that there has been a court case between the NUJ and the Plateau State Publishers Association over any dispute, maintaining that no such matter has been brought before the courts to our knowledge.
“Therefore, the attacks on the NUJ Chairman, particularly the claim that she has deliberately sidelined chapels in an attempt to perpetuate herself in office is but a blatant lie.
“Mrs. Pwaspo was duly elected alongside her executive committee and has served for the past three years, and her leadership has received the support and endorsement of journalists across the state in demonstration of their confidence in her administration, ” it stated.
The journalists further rejected insinuations that the NUJ Chairman belongs to a political camp working against the Plateau State Government, stressing, “Journalism is a profession that demands objectivity, independence, fairness and responsible reporting.”
The group urged Mr Nanyak to exercise restraint, should always verify information and use established professional channels to ventilate any genuine grievances rather than making wild allegations on the social media that could damage the reputation of individuals and institutions.
They also advised him, particularly as someone related to the First Family of Plateau State, to conduct himself with decorum and responsibility, noting that public statements capable of generating unnecessary controversy could inadvertently embarrass the government and the people of the state.
The journalists called for an end to the politicization of professional journalism and urged all stakeholders to embrace dialogue, mutual respect and responsible communication in resolving disagreements.
They stressed that differences within the media profession are normal but should be addressed through the appropriate structures of the NUJ and other recognised mechanisms rather than through personal attacks and unverified allegations.
The group, however, appealed to members of the public and the wider media community to disregard unverified claims and allow relevant professional institutions to address genuine grievances through established channels.
