The Kano State Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs, in collaboration with Nadeem Media Consult Ltd on Tuesday organised a one-day roundtable discussion with Editors aimed at strengthening professionalism, and ethical standards in newsroom practice.
The roundtable, which drew editors from print, broadcast and online media organisations, was designed to deepen understanding of the roles and responsibilities of editors in promoting responsible journalism, peace, unity and development.
Speaking at the event in Kano, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi-Waiya, described editors as critical gatekeepers whose decisions significantly influence public perception and social stability.
He said the state government was committed to fostering a cordial relationship with the media while upholding press freedom, professionalism and patriotism.
“Editors are not only filters of information; they are judges in the newsroom. They must weigh legality, ethics and the likely reaction of the public before allowing stories to go out,” he said.
He urged editors to always place public interest, peace and unity above personal or sectional considerations, especially in a politically sensitive state like Kano.
The commissioner reaffirmed the government’s resolve to grant journalists the freedom to operate, while encouraging them to balance professional ethics with societal responsibility.
Earlier, an Associate Professor of Mass Communications at the Bayero University, Kano (BUK), Prof. Sule Ya’u Sule, presented a paper titled ‘Who is an Editor?’, in which he described editing as the process of refining news contents to ensure clarity, accuracy and freedom from ambiguity.
He explained that editors serve as internal surveillance mechanisms in news organisations, ensuring that stories do not expose media houses to legal, ethical or security risks.
Ya’u-Sule said that editors must possess broad knowledge, sound judgment and familiarity with institutions and public office holders in order to correct factual and contextual errors in reports.
Another resource person, Dr Mukhtar Magaji of the BUK Department of Media Studies, presented a paper titled ‘Editor and Reporter: Rapport for Newsroom Output’.
Magaji emphasised the need for mutual respect and collaboration between editors and reporters, noting that quality newsroom output depends on strong professional rapport and shared editorial values.
He stressed that editors and Reporters must jointly uphold accuracy, balance and sensitivity, particularly in a digital era marked by rapid information flow and heightened public scrutiny.
NAN reports that the event featured interactive discussions on Newsroom ethics, editorial decision-making, digital media challenges and the evolving role of editors in the age of social media.(NAN)