By Bilesanmi Abayomi
Media integrity and professionalism have again taken centre stage as Omo’ba Awofeso Rasheed outlined key conditions necessary for credible and responsible journalism.
Reacting to the KosofePost report titled “KosofePost Publisher Warns Partisan Media Against Suppressing Paid Candidate Coverage,” Rasheed stressed that a vibrant and trustworthy media industry requires courage, ethical discipline, and institutional independence.
He highlighted that journalists must consistently uphold their dignity and professional ethics, resisting “brown envelope” practices and financial inducements that erode public trust. Rasheed also emphasized the need for editorial independence, cautioning media practitioners against undue influence from powerful individuals or political elites.
On workplace conditions, he called for safe and supportive environments free from harassment or intimidation, enabling reporters to perform their duties without fear. He further underscored the importance of institutional strength, adequate resources, and continuous capacity building to ensure media outlets can deliver accurate, balanced, and high-quality reporting.
Above all, Rasheed urged journalists to pursue investigative reporting free from bias, asserting that objective, fact-driven journalism is central to democratic development. He concluded that only through ethical commitment, independence, and professionalism can the media fulfill its role as society’s watchdog.