No Apology Will Fix Journalism Decay, Collaborate With Veterans To Restore Ethics, Dabiri-Erewa Replies Livinus Victor

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has replied Mr. Livinus Chibuike Victor over his recent comments on the state of journalism practice, insisting that the demand for an apology is misplaced and does not address the core crisis in the profession.

In a statement on Thursday, Dabiri-Erewa said she agrees with Victor that journalism in Nigeria is grappling with a serious decline in standards, but maintained that calling for an apology is totally irrelevant and distracts from the urgent need to rebuild professionalism.

She noted that as far back as 2010, when she served as Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Media between 2003 and 2015, she sponsored the Journalism Enhancement Bill aimed at professionalizing journalism and setting minimum standards for practice in Nigeria.

According to her, the bill was motivated by the fact that unlike regulated professions such as law, medicine and accountancy, journalism had no clear entry requirements, training or certification framework, thereby allowing anyone to parade as a journalist without qualification.

She regretted that the initiative, which was intended to protect and elevate the profession, was opposed by some stakeholders who should have supported it, and that the consequence today is the visible erosion of dignity, ethics and credibility in journalism.

Dabiri-Erewa therefore advised Victor to redirect his energy towards joining forces with trained journalists and veterans to champion the return of ethical, responsible and dignified journalism, rather than pursuing an apology he will never get.

The former broadcaster said she remains proud that journalism trained and made her, recalling the solid tutelage she received from respected lecturers at the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos, and affirmed her willingness to work with Victor and other concerned professionals to address the challenges he highlighted.

She also called on the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, the Nigerian Guild of Editors, the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, and other media stakeholders not to fold their arms while the noble profession is denigrated.

The statement was E-signed by
Abdur-Rahman Balogun (mnipr)
Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, NIDCOM, Abuja.