By Nanya Nissi Vonkat
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Plateau State Council, has inducted new members, urging them to uphold professional ethics, verify information and report responsibly ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The induction and orientation ceremony, held at the NUJ Secretariat in Jos, featured discussions on union membership, professional development and the ethical challenges of artificial intelligence (AI) in journalism.
State Council Chairman, Comrade Ayuku Pwaspo, said the union was committed to members’ welfare, press freedom, journalists’ rights and professional ethics.
She said the exercise was designed to familiarise new members with the union’s operations and responsibilities, while stressing the critical role journalists would play in covering the 2027 elections.
A former chairman of the council, Mr. Katdapba Gobum, highlighted the responsibilities and challenges of journalism, emphasising the roles of council and chapel leaders in guiding members.
He urged journalists to develop expertise in their reporting beats, rely on credible sources and maintain professional discipline. He also encouraged practitioners to balance work with family life, noting that journalism often involves unpredictable assignments and long working hours.
On professional collaboration, Gobum said the union had introduced new rules and maintained working relationships with government, organisations and individuals.
In a paper titled “Automated Journalism, Prospects and Ethical Challenges,” a lecturer at NTA College, Jos, Mr. Kefas Bangriba, examined the benefits and risks of AI in news production.
He said AI could save time and reduce costs but warned that its uncritical use could compromise editorial independence, produce fabricated information and mislead audiences about who created a story.
Bangriba urged journalists to use AI as an assistant, not a replacement for human judgment, stressing the need for verification and contextual understanding, particularly when reporting on local communities.
The new members were subsequently sworn in and took an oath of diligence in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The NUJ National Auditor, Mrs. Tongnaan Dada Bawa, commended the council for organising the exercise and urged journalists to remain hardworking and resilient in their service.
In her closing remarks, Pwaspo thanked the facilitators for their contributions and commended the Plateau State Government for its continued support and partnership with the council.
