The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom, Baba Azare, has urged journalists to exercise thoroughness and accuracy in crime and court reporting to avoid contempt of court.
Azare made the call at a symposium on effective crime and court reporting organized by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom Council.
He said the symposium provided an opportunity for the police, judiciary and media to examine their roles in the criminal justice system and explore ways to work together without compromising their constitutional and professional responsibilities.
According to him, justice administration does not begin and end in the courtroom but involves several institutions with distinct yet interconnected responsibilities.
“The police and other law enforcement agencies investigate offenses, prosecutors present cases, and lawyers represent the interests of parties“.
“The courts determine guilt, innocence, rights and liabilities; correctional institutions implement lawful sentences, while the media inform the public about these processes,” Azare said.
The commissioner reminded journalists covering court proceedings that the courtroom operates under established laws, procedures and rules of evidence.
He described the media as a strategic link between justice institutions and the public, noting that citizens rely heavily on journalists for information about crime, policing and the justice system.
Azare urged reporters to prioritize accuracy, fairness, responsibility, legality and respect for the administration of justice rather than focusing solely on breaking stories.
He also advised journalists to correctly distinguish between terms such as suspect, accused person, defendant and convicted person, stressing that media reports must not prejudge cases before courts reach their decisions.
The commissioner warned that trial by media must never replace a trial before a court of competent jurisdiction.
Speaking on the topic, “Balancing the Desire for Breaking News and Factual Reporting,” Cletus Ukpong, South-South Regional Manager of Premium Times, urged journalists to verify information before publication and update reports when necessary.
Ukpong also charged journalists to hold government accountable by criticizing poor performance and acknowledging positive achievements.
If you miss a breaking story today, there will be another story tomorrow. If another journalist beats you by some minutes, there will be another competition tomorrow.
“But if you destroy someone’s reputation with a fake allegation, expose a witness to danger, identify a vulnerable victim or publish a false death, you cannot simply press delete and make the harm disappear,” he said.
He appealed to government agencies and other institutions to provide journalists with timely information to reduce speculation and misinformation.
The NUJ Chairman in Akwa Ibom, John Nsibiet, said the symposium became necessary because some journalists covering crime and the judiciary lacked adequate knowledge of the sector.
“A lot of journalists report crime and the judiciary, but some do not have in-depth knowledge of the sector. This is what makes this event most expedient,” he said.
Nsibiet thanked the resource persons and urged participants to use the program to strengthen their professional skills.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Prof. Chris Ekong, also urged journalists to uphold truth, accuracy and objectivity in their reports.
Ekong advised reporters to clearly distinguish between allegations and convictions, identify the sources of allegations, and verify information before publication.
He further cautioned journalists against media trials and sensational headlines, urging them to familiarise themselves with contempt and defamation laws and avoid interfering with judicial proceedings.
