The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Baba Azare, has charged journalists in the state to exercise thoroughness in their reporting of crime to avoid contempt.
Mr Azare gave the charge at a symposium on effective crime and court reporting organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom Council, and funded by the Akwa Ibom State Judiciary.
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He said the symposium provided an opportunity for the police, judiciary and media to examine their respective responsibilities within the criminal justice system.
“It provides an opportunity for the police, judiciary and media to examine their respective responsibilities within the criminal justice system.
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“More importantly, it will help us to explore how to work together without compromising our constitutional and professional obligations,” Mr Azare said.
The police chief further stated that justice administration did not begin and end in the courtroom, but was a process involving several institutions.
He said that each institution involved in justice administration had its distinct but interconnected responsibilities.
“The police and other law enforcement agencies investigate offences, prosecutors present cases, and lawyers represent the interests of parties.
“The courts determine guilt, innocence, rights and liabilities; correctional institutions implement lawful sentences, while the media inform the public about these processes,” Mr Azare said.
The police commissioner further said that journalists covering judicial proceedings should understand that law, procedure and rules of evidence govern the courtroom.
“The media occupies a strategic position between the institutions of justice and the public.
“This is because the public depends on the media for their understanding of crime, policing and the justice system,” he said.
Mr Azare said that crime and court reporting should go beyond being the first to break a story by emphasising accuracy, fairness, responsibility, legality and respect for the administration of justice.
He encouraged journalists to carefully distinguish between terms such as suspect, accused person, defendant, and convicted person.
The commissioner stated that trial by media must never replace trial by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Cletus Ukpong, the South-east/South-south editor at Premium Times, in a lecture titled “Balancing the Desire for Breaking News and Factual Reporting”, said that journalists should verify, publish, and update information.
He charged journalists to hold the government accountable by criticising it when it failed to deliver, and praising it when it performed well.
“If you miss a breaking story today, there will be another story tomorrow. If another journalist beats you by a few minutes, there will be another competition tomorrow.
“But if you destroy someone’s reputation with a fake allegation, expose a witness to danger, identify a vulnerable victim or publish a false death, you cannot simply press delete and make the harm to disappear,” he said.
He also appealed to establishments to promptly release information to journalists to reduce media speculation.
Nsibiet John, the NUJ chairman in Akwa Ibom, said the symposium became necessary to expose reporters to the rudiments of crime and court reporting.
“A lot of journalists report crime and the judiciary, but some do not have in-depth knowledge of the sector; this is what makes this event most expedient.
“Journalism activities concern the public, while the activities of other professionals may be private to the people concerned,” he said.
Mr John thanked the resource persons and encouraged participants to take advantage of the programme to improve their professional development.
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Chris Ekong, a professor and the vice-chancellor of the University of Uyo, said that journalists must uphold truth, accuracy and objectivity in their reportage.
He encouraged journalists to distinguish between allegations and convictions, as well as identify the sources of allegations and other important facts.
He said reporters must be thorough, verify every piece of information, and avoid media trials and sensational headlines.
“Journalists must be familiar with contempt and defamation laws and not interfere with judicial proceedings,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that participants were drawn from all the chapels of the NUJ in the Akwa Ibom Council.
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