The Nigerian Union of Journalists, Kebbi State Council has vowed to deal decisively with quacks and impostor journalists tarnishing the image of the profession.
State Chairman of the union, Alhaji Garba Muhammad-Yeldu, said this in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday at an NUJ/Security Engagement Session.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the engagement involved the NUJ State Council, members of Correspondents’ Chapel and security personnel.
Muhammad-Yeldu lamented that unregistered, unaccredited and unscrupulous elements had been going round government offices intimidating and blackmailing officials to receive inducement.
He said: ”Our union in Kebbi is now determined and committed to nip the situation in the bud.
“We shall not fold our arms to allow unpatriotic persons to soil the image of bonafide journalists.
“This is part of the objective of inviting security agencies for partnership, we must adhere to our calling as the fourth estate of the realm.”
Muhammad-Yeldu enumerated plans to reposition the NUJ in the state to encourage the practice of professional journalism among newsmen.
The NUJ National Vice President, North West Zone, Alhaji Tukur Dutsinmari, affirmed support to the state council to deal with the issue of quackery.
Dutsinmari used the opportunity to appeal to employers of labour to always remit check-off dues deducted from the salaries of journalists to the coffers of the NUJ as mandated by law.
NAN reports that the representatives of the Nigeria Police Force and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps promised their readiness to work in synergy with the NUJ to fish out quacks and unaccredited persons posing as journalists.
The security personnel pledged not only to fish out the fake journalists, but also to prosecute them to serve as a deterrent to others.
