Francesca Iwambe -Abuja
Administrator of National Judicial Institute (NJI), Justice Rosaline Bozimo (rtd) has enjoined journalists in the country to be fair, objective, and professional in the way they report activities preceding the 2019 general elections.
She spoke at the opening ceremony of a two day workshop entitled ” Fostering a cordial working relationship between the judiciary Correspondents and the Judiciary ” organized by NJI for members of National Association of Judiciary Correspondents in Abuja on Tuesday.
Justice Bozimo however explained that the country was at a critical point in her history and journalists need to join in the vanguard to ensure the stability of the polity.
She therefore urged journalists to remain objective in their reportage and avoid unnecessary and sensational headlines.
She recalled that the outcome 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 behooves on journalists to be fair, just, honest and professional in their reportage and their 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 occasion, the chairman of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents, Barrister Tunde Oyesina commended Justice Onnoghen for approving this year’s workshop.
He also expressed appreciation to the Administrator of NJI, Hon. 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 have been of tremendous assistance to Judiciary correspondents, Adesina said that it has helped in sharpening their skills by increasing general productivity.
He assured that the judiciary correspondents are ever ready to work with the judiciary but pleaded for more understanding. “We therefore plead with the Judges and their supporting staff to see us as partners in progress and not their crucifiers”
