The Arewa Renaissance Group has cautioned journalists to adhere strictly to ethical journalism practices and conduct thorough investigations before publishing reports.
The group warned against accepting payments from politicians to spread false information aimed at tarnishing the reputation of public officials.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the group’s coordinator, Abba Usman, accused an unnamed online news platform of preparing what he described as “false publications” to damage the reputation of the Minister of State for Works, Muhammad Bello Goronyo.
“Through intelligence reports, we have gathered that an inactive reporter from an online platform has conspired with another journalist to fabricate lies against the minister,” Usman said.
The group urged the public to disregard any such reports if they surface, adding that similar smear campaigns had recently been launched against high-ranking officials, including the Inspector General of Police.
Tracing Goronyo’s career from the Sokoto State House of Assembly to his role as commissioner and now Minister of State for Works, the group described him as a patriotic Nigerian known for his integrity.
“Some journalists must learn to conduct detailed investigations and report in the interest of the profession,” Umar added.
