<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Esther Adeniyi<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Information is a strong determinant of the progress of a society. In every society, the actions and inactions of the people are mostly influenced by the information available, whether right or wrong. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like other professions, journalism is guided by ethics and code of conduct for better practices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Journalists\nas purveyors of information are therefore expected to practice within the\nethical standards of the profession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sadly, times\nhave changed and not many journalists have been able to overcome the challenge\nof the economic meltdown, and societal ills, in the discharge of their duties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the face of these odds, journalists find it difficult, to be honest, accurate, and fair in their reporting, which they are expected to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To address\nthis problem, George Sarwah\nStewart, Liberian journalist and Development Communicator has charged Christian\nJournalists to hold onto their faith and be good examples in the profession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
George said\nthis while speaking in a fellowship hosted by Journalists for Christ (JFC), a\nnon-governmental organization for Christian Journalists and Allied\nProfessionals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The JFC September edition of the monthly fellowship, themed \u201cJournalists as Salt and Light of the world\u201d was held virtually on the 17th<\/sup> of July 2022. The fellowship had in attendance Christian Journalists in Nigeria, Liberia, Kenya and United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Drawing from a Bible citation, Mathew 5:13-16, George urged Christian Journalists to be the light of the media by reporting truthfully and fairly in order to expose the rights and wrongs of society so that God\u2019s creation will be better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to\nGeorge, \u201cJournalism is a truth-telling profession intended to expose the ills\nand good of society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen you\nwant to talk about fairness, honesty, integrity, reliability, preserver of\nsocietal values, disinfectants of societal wrath, you have to hold on to\nJournalism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n George encouraged Christian journalists to fit into Christ\u2019s description of believers as the salt and light of the world, by telling the truth and bringing hidden things to light for societal good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe live in a world that seems to be gloomy and fast turning dark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA world that is getting tasteless, assertiveness is going down due to corruption, greed, bad governance, proof of power, and wickedness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGod expects\npeople of light and saltiness to not relent but let their light shine to\nbrighten a dark world, \u201c he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Participants at the fellowship also shared insights on Journalism as a truth-telling profession and Christians as Salt and Light of the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr. Taye\nObateru, Senior Lecturer, Department of Mass Communication, University of Jos,\nNigeria<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Journalists should be conscious of the nation in doing their job<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs\nChristian Journalists, we are ambassadors of Christ and examples in the\nprofession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf we are\ngoing to be the salt of the world as we are supposed to be, we need to allow\nthe Christ-like nature to influence our job. That way, journalists will be able\nto contribute more to the betterment of the society.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dayo\nEmmanuel, Secretary, JFC<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen we say we are Christians, we should be Christians indeed and it must reflect in everything we do including our jobs and media practices.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tunde Abatan,\nManaging Editor, Newdawn Online<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cChristianity enjoins us to speak the truth, not only speak the truth but also publish the truth, and run away from all manner of falsehood because falsehood can mislead the society. When we mislead society we are not living as true Christians. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAt this moment in the history of our country, we are moving towards the election. Let us make sure we speak the truth to power and set the agenda as a true Christian so that people can make the right decisions in electing the next leaders\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Seye Joseph,\nEditor, EnterpriseCEO<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI do not\nthink we are going to become better Christians if we don\u2019t have values that\nhelp other people lead a better life in a way that will improve the country. Most\nof these values are in our ethics as journalists.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ajewole\nJoshua, Journalist<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs\nChristian Journalists, we should not compromise our faith and what we stand for\nin the Christian body for gains.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lekan Otufodunrin, President, JFC also advised\njournalists to cooperate with one another in order to overcome the challenges\nfaced by Christians in Journalism practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAlthough\nthere are challenges in the profession, Journalists have to team up, stick\ntogether as Christians, not only to pray, but to share best practices and opportunities,\nand provide mentorship for young ones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGod is faithful,\nand he rewards what we do,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Esther Adeniyi Information is a strong determinant of the progress of a society. In every society, the actions and inactions of the people are mostly influenced by the information available, whether right or wrong. Like other professions, journalism is guided by ethics and code of conduct for better practices. Journalists as purveyors of information…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":771,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[50],"class_list":["post-770","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-christian"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t