The Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo, Kogi, Kwara, and Delta States, Alhaji Daud Makanjuola Akinola has warned journalists across the country not to write their stories in favour of politicians because of money.
Akinola gave the warning at the weekend while hosting members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Oyo State council led by its Chairman, Alhaji Ismail Ademola Babalola.
The visit of the NUJ members to the Aare Musulumi was part of activities marking the 2020 Press Week of the NUJ, Oyo State Council, DAILY POST reports.
Akinola, who said that journalists can mar or make issues based on their thoughts and beliefs, warned against writing stories and reports in favour of some set of people because of money.
He advised journalists to tell the stories as they are, in line with the ethics of their profession, instead of writing against perceived enemies or friends because of pecuniary gains.
Akinola said, “Try to leave behind a good legacy. No one can make you rich. It is God that makes you rich.
“Do not write in favour of politicians. Do not write in favour of anyone because of money. If you write in favour of someone, you write against someone and the person you write against is sent to prison. Whatever happens to the person in prison is caused by you because you have written against him or her.
“Do not depend on anyone. God is the one that can do what you want and not a human being.
“If the town is good, it is you and if the town is bad, it is in your hand. So, make use of what you are doing, based on your professional calling to make things work and not to mar things.
“Do not do journalism of the highest bidder. As journalists, do not judge, because God is the ultimate judge.
“You journalists should always say the truth and do not favour anyone because of worldly things. If you do not have money today, you will have tomorrow, because you are saying the truth.”
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