The Bauchi State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has cautioned journalists in opposition to publishing unverified stories alleging that an Imam in Bauchi State was faraway from his place for campaigning for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu within the 2027 basic elections.
Recall that there was a report alleging that one Dahiru Abubakar claimed he was eliminated as an Imam at a mosque in Madina Quarters, Bauchi, over his assist for Tinubu’s marketing campaign.
The council, in a press release issued on Friday and signed by its chairman, Comrade Isah Garba Gadau, and secretary, Isiyaka Ismail Wunti, expressed concern over the circulation and amplification of the allegation on social media and different media platforms with out satisfactory investigation or impartial verification.
The NUJ stated its preliminary inquiries revealed that there is no such thing as a proof that the person on the centre of the controversy had ever been appointed or served as an Imam in any mosque inside Bauchi metropolis or elsewhere within the state.
According to the council, its findings additionally prompt that the person was primarily engaged in political actions, elevating questions concerning the circumstances surrounding his declare.
The council famous that the stories didn’t establish the mosque the place the alleged removing occurred, its location, the authorities answerable for the purported resolution or the explanations behind the motion.
It careworn that journalists ought to have contacted the related mosque management or administration committee to determine the info earlier than publishing the stories.
The NUJ described the incident as a reminder of the hazards of relying solely on a person’s claims with out searching for impartial affirmation or acquiring responses from related events.
It emphasised that points involving faith and partisan politics require explicit warning due to their potential to generate rigidity, gas misunderstandings and undermine public peace.
The Council additionally expressed concern over what it described as insufficient scrutiny of the person’s background and public statements earlier than his claims had been amplified.
It urged journalists to train sound editorial judgment and clearly distinguish between verified info, allegations, private opinions and political claims.
With political actions gathering momentum forward of the 2027 basic elections, the Council warned journalists in opposition to permitting political pursuits, private concerns or the pursuit of public consideration to compromise skilled requirements.
It reiterated that accuracy, equity, objectivity, steadiness and accountability stay basic rules of accountable journalism.
While reaffirming its dedication to press freedom and the media’s constitutional duty to carry public officeholders and establishments accountable, the Council careworn that these obligations should be exercised in accordance with established skilled and moral requirements.
The NUJ due to this fact urged journalists and media organisations in Bauchi State to strengthen their fact-checking procedures, confirm info by means of credible sources, search responses from affected events and supply satisfactory context earlier than publishing delicate stories, notably these involving faith, politics and safety.
It additional warned that persistent disregard for established journalistic requirements wouldn’t be handled calmly, assuring the general public that the Union would proceed to advertise professionalism and safeguard the integrity of the journalism career.
The assertion reaffirmed the Bauchi State NUJ Council’s dedication to accountable journalism, urging all media practitioners to prioritise fact, verification and the general public curiosity within the discharge of their duties.
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