National Pilot Accuses Choice Reporters Of Biased Story… Demands Right Of Reply, Fair Journalism

Following the recent publication that centres on its internal affairs, the management of National Pilot Newspaper, Ilorin, Kwara State, has strongly criticized an online media organization, Choice Reporters, for allegedly publishing a biased story, describing the report in question as a sharp departure from the core principles of fairness, balance, and objectivity that govern responsible journalism.

In a statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com on Saturday,  the management expressed deep disappointment in the publisher of Choice Reporters, Mr. Felix Ajide noting that as a veteran media practitioner, who had also served as Editor with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and chairman of the Correspondents’ chapel, he should have upheld higher ethical standards rather than rushing to press with a one-sided narrative.

‘As a former NAN editor and an experienced media practitioner, Mr. Ajide is expected to understand better than others that the duty of a journalist is not merely to publish allegations, but to subject claims to verification, seek the responses of affected parties, and present all relevant sides of a contentious matter. Unfortunately, that standard was not observed’ the statement said.

The National Pilot management also raised concerns over what it described as deliberate omission of facts. According to the media organization, a press statement addressing the ongoing internal issues had already been issued and widely circulated in the public domain, long before Choice Reporters published its report questioning the motives behind ignoring an official position that was readily available and wondering why a media outfit would deny a fellow media organization the right to a fair hearing.

‘What makes the situation more troubling is that National Pilot has already issued a public statement addressing the issues being circulated about the company. That statement is in the public domain and clearly sets out the company’s position and the facts necessary to provide context to the matter.

Despite this, Choice Reporters proceeded to publish a news story on the subject without reflecting the company’s position or making any serious attempt to obtain a fresh reaction from National Pilot. This is difficult to understand. If a publication is genuinely interested in informing the public, why ignore a statement already issued by the organization at the centre of the controversy? Why publish allegations against a media organization without giving the organization in question an opportunity to respond?’ the statement added..

The National Pilot management maintained that while it does not shy away from legitimate public scrutiny or criticism, it will however continue to stand against sensationalism and breach of professional ethics aimed at undermining its reputation

‘Journalism Is Not About Taking Sides National Pilot has no objection to scrutiny.

We welcome legitimate criticism. We welcome investigations. We welcome questions about our operations and management.

But scrutiny must be fair, criticism must be factual, and reporting must be balanced.

A journalist cannot become the prosecutor, judge and publisher in the same matter.

Where allegations are made against an organisation, the organisation must be given a fair opportunity to respond. Where a response has already been publicly issued, responsible journalism demands that it be considered and reflected where relevant.

Anything short of this risks turning journalism into advocacy’ the statement added.

The management of National Pilot has not only urged Choice Reporters to correct ‘the imbalance in its reportage’ but also demanded an opportunity to present its position on the issues under discussion.

‘We owe this not only to National Pilot, but to the readers whose right to accurate, balanced and objective information must remain paramount’ the statement said-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079,  08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you