Chinonye Anyatonwu.
The President, Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria, (MAJAN), Comrade Ray Ugochukwu, has called on his members and reporters covering the maritime industry to practice investigative Journalism in their reportage.
The President said that while journalists cannot be blamed for doing run- off- the- mill reports, it is also very important that they begin to engage in investigative reportage, which apart from being more beneficial to the society, will also ensure such journalists are reckoned with.
Addressing members at the Congress, held on Thursday, February 11, 2021, at Apapa, Lagos, the MAJAN President said that maritime is the second largest revenue generating sector for the Federal Government after oil, reporters covering such sector must investigate and bring out sharp practices to the attention of government and the entire Public.
Ugochukwu emphasised that Journalists must be fair and objective in their reportage. He stressed that their investigative reports must be presented with facts.
Comrade Ray Ugochukwu stated that, “The focus is on, ‘African Continental Free Trade Agreement’ (AFCFTA)’, because this is an important issue at the moment.
He disclosed that all MAJAN members are going to have a Roundtable chat with selected stakeholders on this particular topic. At the end, we will inform the Public through our reports, as Journalists, it’s obligatory on our part is to constantly disseminate information to the public,
Speaking further, he stressed the need for investigative reportage, said it was imperative for reporters to always expose sharp practices and rots indulged by the sector.
According to MAJAN President, investigative reporting will enable Government take proactive measures in combating factors militating against the growth of the sector so as to sanitize the entire system.
Responding to questions on the preparedness of MAJAN to hold its “National Maritime Summit on Apapa traffic gridlock” slated for March, 2021, he said;
“We are on course. Plans are on top gear to ensure a successful outing”.
He added, “The MAJAN Roundtable chat on AFCFTA is equally important, because recommendations from stakeholders will help government on policies formulation and implementation”.
He then urged maritime journalists to live up to expectations in reporting the sector, especially the rots in the sector.
