by Fatai Abiodun
It was Aidan White in his book, “The Ethical Journalism Initiative” who opined that in this social media era, the phrase “everyone is a journalist and a publisher” describes how platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have democratized content creation, allowing individuals to share information rapidly and bypass traditional media gatekeepers. This shift has transformed news consumption and production by giving citizens direct access to information and enabling them to contribute their perspectives, but it also necessitates a greater responsibility for users to verify information and be critical of sources.
The recent happenings in our media space have again ignited the call for the need to have a balanced media report on the issue that can attract general issue as a necessity for a greater and better society. The social media tsunami is a game-changer that is significantly impacting our world of communications and challenging the current models of engagement with journalists and influencers.
The recent report title “NICN Staff Calls On Tinubu, CJN, NASS, Demands Salary Harmonization” published by the Sahara Reporter and NewsTelegraphs against the National Industrial Court allegedly authored by one purported Staff member, code-named “Comrade Mohammed Abdullahi”, is another effect of beer-parlour journalism.
Today, I concurred with the position of the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who posited that social media regulation, is needed due to its potential for harm through misinformation and security threats. I wish to add that not only social media, but the publishers as well.
The fake and unknown author had alleged non-payment of the 25% increment and minimum wage arrears as compared to other courts. Abdulahi had noted that other judiciary courts have fully implemented the 25% minimum wage adjustment and paid arrears, but NICN management has refused, threatening staffs who demand their rights, an allegation that can only exist on TikTok.
Even if the unknown author is not sure of the current situation on the 25% increment and minimum wage arrears, the ethics of journalism demand that the publishers should ask questions from the other side, not only in the interest of balanced reportage but in adherence to the journalism principles.
It is on record that on the 2nd June 2025, the national headquarters of JUSUN directed its members to embark on strike in protest against the non-implementation of the national minimum wage and other outstanding pay. The Chief Justice of Nigeria ordered the implementation of the national minimum wage. The Industrial Court, like other Federal Courts, after receiving money from the National Judicial Council, immediately paid the salary to reflect the national minimum wage. As of June, the minimum wage has taken effect, plus a certain percentage of 25% minimum wage arrears, and the wage award from October 2023 till July 2024 has been paid to the staff.
The purported author has failed to understand that the little disparity between the salaries of National Industrial Court staff and other federal courts was purely based on the deduction from Tax payable by the employees, health insurance with different packages, among others, paid by the Court.
Months ago, the Chief Registrar while holding meeting with the management Staff assured the Judicial Staff that no Federal Courts have paid all the 25% minimum wage that once the Federal Government release allocation balance for the Months of January to April 2025, the remaining minimum wage arrears would be paid and hope that the Federal Government will do the needful so that the Court would settle with the payment of the arrears.
In all honesty, when the issue of disparity was brought to the attention of the Hon. President of the Court, the Hon. President gave the marching order to the Chief Registrar that the court should shoulder all the Staff Tax responsibility pending the implementation of the new Tax laws recently signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Court Registrar also made it known to all the staff that the Hon. President’s passion for the well-being of the staff remains unparalleled, the same reason the JUSUN Chairman of the Industrial Court and its executive were so shocked to see a wrong beer-parlour allegation on the best-performing court in Nigeria.
It is clear that every reform has a witness; if there is anyone who truly cares for the lives of the employees, it is the Hon. President of the Court and his lieutenants, who have demonstrated through their actions and declarations that the Court would not allow anyone to treat an employee shabbily.
It baffles one imagination that the appropriate channel for members of the Staff to lodge complaints through the office of the JUSUN or the Office of the Chief Registrar could be left unused, which is not only satanic but uncomplimentary nature of an interloper.
How can a staff member write an imaginary allegation against the most performing court in Nigeria, considering the recent approval of the general overtime with substantial upward review for all the staff across board so as to cater for the staff welfare by the Hon. President?
We must bring the public up to date on the efforts being made by the Hon. President of the Court and the need to educate the general public that the beer-parlour allegation on the call for CJN and the NASS is uncalled for, and such a message should be disregarded in its entirety.
Every reform has a witness, and I am a witness to the noble efforts of the Hon. President of the National Industrial Court to strengthen the labour adjudication in Nigeria, and the train of good work must move forward.
Fatai Abiodun wrote from Abuja
fatai.abiodun200709@gmail.com
