Prof. Nura Ibrahim of Bayero University Kano’s Department of Information and Media Studies has urged online journalists to engage responsibly on digital platforms and respect privacy in their reporting.
He made the call while presenting a paper at a two-day retreat for members of the Kano Online Media Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), held in Dutse, Jigawa State.
The retreat, sponsored by the Kano State Government through the Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs, aimed to strengthen journalists’ skills under the theme: “Strengthening Digital Journalism Through Ethical Practice and Responsible Online Engagement.”
Prof. Nura emphasized the importance of balanced reporting and cautioned against the use of inflammatory language. He urged journalists to promote inclusivity, respect cultural and religious sensitivities, avoid incitement, verify facts before publication, correct errors, and update content responsibly.
He further highlighted the need to combat misinformation, present facts accurately, cite credible sources, avoid spreading rumors, and adopt language optimization tools alongside responsible SEO practices.