The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Grace Ike, has extended warm Eid-el-Kabir greetings to Muslim faithful across the country while calling on journalists in the Federal Capital Territory to uphold ethical reporting, promote national unity, and defend press freedom.
In a goodwill message issued on behalf of the Council’s Executive Committee, Ike urged media practitioners to reflect the virtues of sacrifice, obedience, truth, and responsibility in the discharge of their professional duties.
She noted that the media has a critical role to play in fostering peace and national cohesion, especially at a time when the country continues to face social and political challenges.
“Our nation stands at a critical juncture where the media must act as a healing balm. We must pursue truth with a deep sense of patriotism, ensuring our reports build up the nation rather than tearing it apart,” she said.
The NUJ FCT chairman cautioned journalists against sensationalism, fake news, and divisive narratives, stressing that professionalism, objectivity, balance, and factual accuracy must remain non-negotiable standards in journalism practice.
She further emphasized the responsibility of journalists to bridge ethnic and religious divides through responsible reporting that promotes mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
Ike reaffirmed the importance of press freedom in sustaining democracy, urging journalists to remain courageous in holding leaders accountable despite intimidation and challenging working conditions.
“The sacrifices made by journalists in the FCT, often under challenging conditions, to keep the public informed are deeply appreciated,” she said.
“But as we demand freedom to do our jobs without fear or favor, we must also match that freedom with a high sense of professional responsibility.”
She also reaffirmed that the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists remains committed to the welfare and protection of journalists, while fostering a safe environment for robust investigative journalism.
She called for greater unity among journalists and urged Muslim media professionals and faithful to extend kindness to the less privileged in the spirit of Eid-el-Kabir.
