By James Ndubuisi Nwakpa
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi State Council, has expressed strong disapproval of the recent activities of Sahara Reporters, accusing the online media platform of engaging in unethical journalism. In a press release issued today, January 16, 2025, the NUJ Ebonyi State Council described the platform’s reports on Ebonyi State as false, misleading, and lacking the principles of ethical journalism.
The council condemned Sahara Reporters for what it termed “junk journalism,” citing a pattern of disinformation and half-baked reports aimed at discrediting the policies and programmes of the Ebonyi State Government. According to the statement, the platform has repeatedly failed to meet the standards of factual reporting by relying on hearsay and neglecting the principles of fact-checking and objectivity in journalism practice.
In the release signed by the Chairman, Comrade Nwafor Samson, and Secretary, Comrade Nnamdi Akpa, the NUJ noted that Sahara Reporters has no known staff reporter based in Ebonyi State. This, the council said has underscored the platform’s lack of commitment to accurate and credible journalism.
The statement further accused Sahara Reporters of pursuing an agenda driven by “paymasters” and warned the public to be cautious of the platform’s publications, which it described as an affront to the ethics of journalism.
”The Council strongly condemns in its entirety these publications by Sahara Reporters against the people and government of Ebonyi State and describes them as a product of junk journalism that should be totally discountenanced,” the release stated.
The NUJ emphasized that Sahara Reporters’ way of sensational and false reporting has reached an alarming stage with its current focus on Ebonyi State. It urged the platform to reconsider its approach to journalism, warning that continued unethical practices could cement its reputation as a medium driven by falsehood.
The council commended journalists and media organizations in Ebonyi State for adhering to the ethical standards of the profession, and assured them of its unwavering support as long as they remain committed to their constitutional responsibilities and the journalism code of ethics, while advising Sahara Reporters to “retrace its steps or go down in history as a medium whose stock in trade are falsehood, half-baked reports, and fake news.”
The press release further reaffirmed the commitment of NUJ towards promoting credible journalism and protecting the integrity of the profession in Ebonyi State.
Recall that Sahara Reporters has in its recent online publication accused the Ebonyi State Government of awarding 4.1 billion naira worth of projects to 24 sole bidders without competitive process.