The Administrator of National Judicial Institute (NJI), Justice Rosaline Bozimo rtd. has urged journalists in the country to be fair, objective, just, honest and professional in the reportage and commentaries on the activities preceding the 2019 general elections.
Justice Bozimo made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at the opening of two days workshop titled “Fostering a cordial working relationship between the judiciary Correspondents and the Judiciary” organised by NJI for members of National Association Judiciary Correspondents.
NJI Administrator noted that our country is at a critical point in her history and journalists must seek to be objective in their reportage and unnecessary and sensational headlines.
She observed that the outcomes of some recently concluded political parties’ primaries to elect candidates for various elective positions are already in contention in courts.
“It goes without saying that as we brace up for the general elections in February 2019, it is envisaged that candidates or contestants would approach the courts with their grievances.”
“It therefore behove on journalists to be fair, just, honest and professional in their reportage and numerous commentaries on these contending issues that have the ability to shape the destiny of our country.”
“Your actions impact on the judiciary; hence you must be guided by the ethics and code of conduct of your profession. You must see yourselves as partners”.
Justice Bozimo commended the Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen who is the Chairman, Board of Governors of the NJI for his unflinching commitment and dedication to the growth and development of the Judiciary in the country.
Earlier in his address at the 1occasion, the chairman of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents, Barrister Tunde Oyesina had praised Justice Onnoghen for approving this year’s workshop.
He also expressed profound gratitude to the Administrator of NJI, Hon. Mr. R.P.I Bozimo, OFR, for her roles in uplifting the standard of media practice, especially on the judiciary beat.
Acknowledging that previous training by the Institute has been of tremendous assistance to Judiciary correspondents, Adesina said that it has not only sharpened their skills by increase productivity to the nation.
He assured that the judiciary correspondents are ever ready to work with the judiciary but plead for more understanding. “We therefore plead with the Judges and their supporting staff to see us as partners in progress and not their crucifiers”
Adesina also plead with the government to adequately fund the judiciary to enable it to cope with the enormous task ahead of it.
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