Stakeholders push for ethics in maritime journalism

Media stakeholders have called on journalists covering Nigeria’s maritime sector to uphold truth, fairness, and accountability in their reporting, warning that unethical coverage poses a direct threat to the sector’s development.

The call came on Tuesday in Lagos at the inauguration of newly elected executives of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria, themed “Upholding Ethical Journalism for Maritime Development.”

Delivering the keynote address, PR expert and Chief Executive Officer of Integrated Indigo, Bolaji Abimbola, said journalism is the backbone of accountability and public trust.

“In Nigeria and across Africa, where democracy is still maturing and misinformation spreads fast, ethical journalism directly impacts national development,” he said.

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Abimbola warned that false reports on port congestion, piracy, or policy changes could scare off shipping lines and investors, while sensationalised coverage of accidents creates unnecessary panic. He noted that journalists covering the sector face pressure from owners, advertisers, and government officials to suppress or distort stories.

“For Nigeria to develop, journalists must choose truth over clicks, public interest over patronage, and courage over convenience,” he said.

Newly inaugurated MARAN President Oluyinka Onigbinde described the maritime sector as a gateway to international trade and a critical driver of economic growth, adding that sustainable development in the sector cannot thrive without credible information.

“We must resist sensationalism, reject misinformation, and ensure that every report we publish is guided by truth, fairness, balance, and professionalism,” he said.

Also speaking, National President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, Tochukwu Ezisi, described ethical journalism as “not merely a professional obligation” but “a national imperative” for maritime growth and institutional credibility.