The Chairman of Association of Online Media Practitioners of Nigeria (AMPON), Wole Arisekola, has called on journalists to always investigate their stories thoroughly before publishing.
He gave the advice while addressing members of the association at their Abuja office. In his words, “When we present matters to the public, we should ensure that the truth is told no matter whose ox is gored. The lies we tell about others to dent their image may come back to us”, he warned.
Using Mahmood Ahmudu as a typical example of one fellow whom some of the unprofessional journalists have not been fair to in their reports, Arisekola said, “Contrary to what was being circulated about businessman and entrepreneur, Mahmood Ahmadu, our investigations have revealed that he has never been charged with money laundering”.
It would be recalled that a national newspaper recently circulated the news that he was wanted in the UK and indeed was being charged for money laundering.
However, the man in the eye of the storm called the AMPON office and described the news as malicious and with intent of damaging his hard-earned reputation.
Arisekola concluded the media parley by saying, “We hope our media men would take time out to do diligent investigations before going to press”.