The Chairman of the Kano State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Online Media Chapel, Comrade Abubakar Abdulkadir Dangambo, has urged journalists to uphold professional ethics, accuracy and responsible journalism in reporting the 2027 election campaigns and elections.
Dangambo made the call on Thursday while commissioning the renovated office of M Kano TV Online Media at Kofar Mazugal in the Kano metropolis.
The NUJ Online Media Chapel chairman, who was accompanied by members of the Chapel’s Executive Council, commended the Chief Executive Officer of M Kano TV, Musbahu Kano, for renovating and upgrading the organisation’s office to a standard befitting a modern media organisation.
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He urged other online media practitioners to emulate the initiative, saying identifiable physical offices would enhance public confidence, credibility and accountability in the rapidly expanding online media sector.
Dangambo also stressed the importance of journalists’ safety, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“It is better to report alive than to be reported dead. Your safety is very important, especially as the 2027 election campaign has commenced,” he said.
He advised journalists covering political activities to remain professional and resist attempts by politicians, supporters and other individuals to manipulate them into publishing fake news, misleading information or defamatory material.
According to him, journalists must verify information before publication and ensure that political reporting is guided by fairness, balance and the ethics of the profession.
Dangambo further disclosed that efforts were underway at the National Assembly to introduce legislation requiring online media organisations to maintain identifiable physical addresses.
He said such legislation, if enacted, would help strengthen accountability in the online media space, curb the activities of fake journalists and make it easier to identify organisations responsible for published content.
The chairman said the initiative would also contribute to tackling misinformation and fabricated stories, which he described as growing challenges in the digital media environment.
He reiterated the commitment of the NUJ Online Media Chapel to continuous training and capacity building for its members.
Such training, he said, would improve the professional competence of journalists and help distinguish trained journalists from citizen journalists and social media influencers.
Dangambo also cautioned journalists against sensational reporting, particularly in their coverage of banditry, terrorism and other security-related issues.
He urged members of the profession to give adequate consideration to national security when reporting sensitive issues, stressing that the media has an important responsibility to promote peace, public safety and national development.
The chairman said responsible journalism was particularly important during election periods when misinformation and inflammatory reporting could heighten tension and undermine peaceful democratic processes.
He therefore urged journalists to exercise caution, verify claims and avoid publishing material capable of inciting violence or threatening public order.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of M Kano TV, Musbahu Kano, explained that the renovation of the organisation’s office was undertaken to provide a more conducive working environment for staff and create a welcoming atmosphere for guests and visitors.
He expressed appreciation to the Executive Council of the NUJ Online Media Chapel, particularly Dangambo, for honouring his invitation to the commissioning ceremony.
Musbahu assured the Chapel and the public that M Kano TV would continue to operate in accordance with the ethics and principles of professional journalism.
The commissioning provided an opportunity for the NUJ Online Media Chapel leadership to reiterate the need for professionalism, accountability and safety as journalists prepare to cover what is expected to be a highly competitive 2027 election season.