The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Jigawa State Council, has inaugurated its Online Media Chapel, describing the development as a major step toward strengthening professionalism and ethical standards in digital journalism.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the NUJ Press Centre in Dutse on Tuesday, officially established the Online Media Chapel as the eighth recognised chapel under the Jigawa State Council.
Speaking during the event, the Chairman of the NUJ Jigawa State Council, Ismaila Ibrahim Dutse, described the inauguration as another landmark achievement in the union’s 34-year history in the state.
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According to him, the move reflects the council’s commitment to embracing digital transformation while preserving the ethics, credibility and professionalism of journalism.
“The inauguration is more than the establishment of a new chapel. It represents our commitment to strengthening professional journalism in an increasingly digital world while preserving the core values of truth, accuracy, fairness, independence and accountability,” Dutse stated.
He explained that the establishment of the Online Media Chapel was in line with the provisions of the NUJ Constitution 2022 as amended, which formally recognizes online media practitioners as integral members of the union.
The NUJ chairman listed the eight recognized chapels under the Jigawa State Council as the Ministry of Information Chapel, Radio Jigawa Chapel, Jigawa Television Chapel, Correspondents’ Chapel, Freedom Radio Chapel, Horizon FM Chapel, NTA Dutse Chapel and the newly inaugurated Online Media Chapel.
Dutse emphasized that membership of the Online Media Chapel would be strictly limited to professionally established digital media organizations with identifiable ownership, functional editorial structures and qualified journalists operating in accordance with the NUJ Code of Ethics.
He clarified that the chapel would not accommodate personal blogs, social media influencers, content creators or unregulated digital platforms lacking professional editorial standards.
The NUJ chairman also urged online journalists to uphold ethical standards in the discharge of their duties, warning that the speed of information dissemination should never compromise accuracy, fairness, balance and verification.
He cautioned against fake news, misinformation, hate speech and sensational reporting, stressing that such practices could undermine public confidence and threaten national unity.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Muttaka Turaki Gujungu, the Special Assistant on Social Media to the Governor congratulated the leadership and members of the newly established chapel.
He described the inauguration as recognition of the growing importance of digital journalism in informing, educating and shaping public discourse in society.
Responding on behalf of the newly inaugurated executives, the Chairman of the Jigawa Online Media Chapel, Sani Labaran, pledged that members of the chapel would abide by the constitution, rules and regulations of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.
He assured the NUJ leadership that the chapel would promote professionalism, discipline, accountability and ethical journalism while discouraging fake news, misinformation and other unethical practices capable of misleading the public and damaging the credibility of the journalism profession.
Media stakeholders at the event described the inauguration as a timely initiative capable of strengthening responsible digital journalism and improving professional standards among online media practitioners in Jigawa.