Ekiti: NUJ launches war against fake journalists, vows to rid state of impersonators
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Ekiti State Council has launched an ongoing campaign against unauthorized journalists and individuals posing as professionals in the state.
This initiative is part of the council’s efforts to uphold the integrity of journalism, protect the public from fraudulent activities, and enhance the overall quality of the media industry.
NUJ Chairman Comrade Kayode Babatuyi made the announcement during an anti-quackery exercise in Ado-Ekiti. He noted a rising trend of individuals with smartphones and access to social media who claim to be journalists without the necessary professional credentials.
“The purpose of our gathering today is to clarify that journalism is a serious profession,” Babatuyi stated. “We have witnessed a surge in impersonation, as some individuals mistakenly believe that owning a smartphone qualifies them as journalists. This campaign aims to distinguish between trained journalists and content creators.”
He added that the exercise is intended to combat individuals misusing the NUJ emblem to commit crimes. Babatuyi reported that some imposters have already been apprehended, describing the current actions as only the beginning of a broader crackdown.
“We are sending a warning that we are prepared for further actions, and anyone caught will be prosecuted,” he said.
Abiodun Olofe, chairman of the Anti-Quackery Committee of the Ekiti NUJ Council, emphasized that the campaign targets both the public and those fraudulently claiming to be journalists. He urged the public to remain vigilant when interacting with individuals asserting that they are journalists, warning that quacks could undermine the work of legitimate media professionals.
Olofe encouraged the public to engage only with journalists who possess proper identification, including new official NUJ identification stickers designed to distinguish genuine practitioners from impostors. He affirmed that the NUJ is committed to addressing the issue of fake journalists in Ekiti.
“This initiative is a clear signal to the public to be discerning about who they consider as journalists,” Olofe said. “We have identified a group responsible for disseminating misinformation. To ensure accuracy in news reporting, we are advising that they engage only with certified journalists.”
Olofe further declared the NUJ’s readiness to act against fake journalists, pledging that the organization will take necessary legal actions against those operating unlawfully.
“This is not a one-time effort; we will maintain ongoing vigilance against quack journalism,” he stated. “Our presence today marks the beginning of regular inspections and enforcement actions, which will continue in the future.”
He expressed gratitude to the leadership of the Ekiti NUJ Council for their support in addressing the issue of fake journalists and ensuring that those guilty of these practices are referred to the appropriate authorities.
