Delta NUJ Chairman Cautions Journalists Disclosing Sources Of Information

…Threatens To Drag Culprits To SEC, NEC

By Daniel Dafe

Comrade Churchill Oyowe, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Delta State Council, has said that “in journalism, the protection of sources is a fundamental rule,” adding that “it ensures that individuals feel safe to provide information without fear of exposure.”

He said this in a statement on Saturday following reports on the sack of Mr. Ifeanyi Osuoza as Commissioner for Information in the state and replacement with Charles Aniagwu.

According to him, “failure to protect a source’s identity not only undermines the trust in journalists but also risks drying up valuable avenues of information.”

He continued: “Regrettably, some journalists in Delta State have been accused of breaching this trust by exposing their sources, even after promising anonymity. Worse still, there are allegations of twisting the information provided by these sources. Such practices are not only unprofessional but align with the behaviour of quacks rather than credible journalists.

ALSO READ: The Problems With Nigeria…

He wondered why some journalists quoted anonymous sources without their consent in their reports on the replacement of the Information Commissioner with the Commissioner for Works (Rural), saying “this is a grave violation of ethical journalism,” just as he noted that no official statement has yet been released.

He said “such actions jeopardize the profession, as potential sources may begin to avoid providing clarifications or sharing their perspectives with journalists.”

Comrade Oyowe said further that “the implications of this are dire: a lack of trust between journalists and their sources ultimately threatens the survival of the journalism profession itself.”

“As journalists, it is our duty to safeguard the identity of our sources, particularly when anonymity is requested. By adhering to this ethical standard, we not only preserve the credibility of our profession but also ensure a steady flow of accurate and reliable information.

“Professionalism and integrity should remain at the core of our work. Protecting our sources is not just a rule; it is the lifeblood of trustworthy journalism,” he opined.

Meanwhile, he warned that if this trend continues, he will make it official by taking the case to SEC and NEC for possible sanctions of the culprits.

“Let’s be professional to save our profession from mockery and insignificance,” he concluded.