The new General Manager, Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Lokoja, Alhaji Yahaya Adam has enjoined the leadership and members of Kogi State Chapter of Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN) on the need for them to project the true Islamic message devoid of anything that would cause disaffection among members of the public.
He gave the charge on Tuesday when he played host to the body in his office in Lokoja.
Alhaji Yahaya who was receiving the association as the first group to pay him official visit having just assumed office, tasked members to always allow professionalism guide their conduct in accordance with the ethics of Journalism.
He noted that Islam encourages truthfulness, fairness, objectivity, and dedication to work irrespective of the profession an individual finds himself, stressing that Allah would reward a believer only when he uses his profession and talent to promote unity and brotherliness in the society.
The General Manager stressed that propagation of true message of Islam in the media is fundamental to better understanding and cohesion, noting that preaching messages that bind was better than those that divided Muslims and adherents of other faiths.
He noted that Islam is losing its essence because of misinformation, hence the need to to revive the true spirit of Islam among Muslim Ummah and the society through daily programmes and news reportage.
Alhaji Yahaya who described the pen as being mightier than the sword urged media practitioners to always abide by the rules guiding the profession which he noted includes objectivity, factuality, diligence as well as professionalism.
He then expressed appreciation to the association for their visit and called on other organizations to partner the NTA for overall progress of the state.
Earlier, the Coordinator, Kogi State Chapter of Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria, Mallam Mohammed Yabagi said the essence of the visit was to intimate the media house on the existence of the body in the state and to seek for synergy to make ease for the continual propagation of Islam.
Mallam Yabagi explained that Islam is a religion of peace, prosperity, equality and justice but it is ridden with misinformation and misconception which must be addressed as media professionals.
“We are hoping for a better working relationship that would be beneficial to the association, the NTA and generally amongst Muslims in the media profession”.
