By Alltimepost.com
[dropcap]V[/dropcap]eteran Journalists in Edo State of Nigeria have expressed grave concern over the deteriorating trends in the nation’s media both in terms of professional and ethical conduct.During the first anniversary celebration of the League of Veteran Journalists (LVJ) in Benin City last week speaker after speaker flayed the moral deficiency and flagrant disregard for experience by younger practitioners even as they pleaded with publishers to strive to meet wage obligations to their reporters and editors.
The chairman of the League, Comrade J.O. Obadigie (JP) who opened the discussion reminded journalists that theirs was a noble profession as it is the only one recognized and assigned special role by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The veteran writer also challenged reporters to strive at all times to balance their stories such that they present only the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Speaking specifically on the N5million scandal currently rocking the Edo state council of the NUJ, Comrade Obadigie remarked that the profession was a field for achieving fame and nobility and not one for making quick money.
He advised the leaders and members of the state council to strive to put the matter behind them by obeying the recommendation of the national body which has since called for a truce and a restoration of
the status quo.
The LVJ chairman paid glowing tribute to the former national leadership of the Union under Mr. Ndagene Akwu as president who created the then Elders Advisory Committee that metamorphosed into the LVJ which was formally inaugurated in Edo state last year.
The LVJ, he said, comprises of experienced journalists who have worked creditably in both the print and electronic media and have the wherewithal to address any challenges that may arise from media practice.
He advised leaders of the various state councils, and their component chapels to tap from the wealth of experience of the veterans by intimating them with developments in the union with a view to
resolving problems as they arise.
Meanwhile, a former state chairman of the NUJ, Comrade Godwin Erhahon, also speaking at the event, advised the leadership of the League to properly screen intending members to ensure that only credible media veterans find their ways into the LVJ.
He described as appalling, a situation whereby even the leading media houses, especially newspapers, fail to meet salary obligation to their journalists in spite of the volume of commercial advertisements
sponsored in their media organizations.
Also speaking at the accession, a retired senior civil servant and public relations practitioner Hon. Paul Idahosa advised practicing journalists against the temptation of accepting brown envelops (bribe)
from their news sources.
He congratulated the executive and members of the LVJ for coming together with a view to sharing their experiences with the younger practitioners.
