The management of National Pilot Newspaper has criticised Choice Reporters over what it described as a “one-sided and unbalanced” publication concerning the internal affairs of the newspaper.
In a statement signed by the management, National Pilot said it was compelled to respond not because it was opposed to scrutiny or legitimate criticism, but because the report allegedly fell short of the principles of fairness, balance and objectivity expected of responsible journalism.
The newspaper particularly expressed disappointment with the publisher of Choice Reporters, Mr Felix Ajide, a former editor with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and former Correspondents Chapel Chairman, for allegedly publishing a one-sided account without making meaningful efforts to obtain the position of National Pilot.
According to the management, Ajide, as an experienced media practitioner, should understand that journalism requires reporters to verify allegations, seek the responses of affected parties and present all relevant sides of contentious issues.
“Unfortunately, that standard was not observed,” the statement said.
National Pilot noted that it had previously issued a public statement addressing the issues being circulated about the organisation, adding that the statement was already in the public domain and contained the newspaper’s position and relevant context.
The management questioned why Choice Reporters published another report on the matter without reflecting the newspaper’s position or making what it described as any serious attempt to obtain a fresh reaction.
It said the right of reply was not a favour to the subject of a report but an essential component of responsible journalism.
The newspaper also alleged that the latest publication was not the first time Choice Reporters had reported on its affairs without giving it a meaningful opportunity to respond.
According to National Pilot, the initial report on the matter was published without allowing the organisation sufficient opportunity to present its side.
It added that Ajide’s familiarity with the management and leadership of National Pilot should have made it easier to seek clarification before publication.
“A simple telephone call or message could have provided the opportunity to hear directly from the company. That is what professional journalism requires,” the management said.
The newspaper also questioned the motive behind the repeated reports, asking whether the objective was to inform the public,
investigate the issues objectively, generate traffic or pursue an undisclosed interest.
It said the matter was particularly concerning because one media organisation should not seek to damage the public image of another through reports that allegedly fail to meet the same standards of balance and fairness expected of the media.
National Pilot stressed that it had no objection to scrutiny, legitimate criticism or investigations into its operations and management.
It, however, maintained that “scrutiny must be fair, criticism must be factual, and reporting must be balanced.”
The management warned that journalists should not assume the roles of prosecutor, judge and publisher in the same matter, stressing that organisations facing allegations must be given a fair opportunity to respond.
On Ajide’s public identification as a “Man of God,” the newspaper said it respected his personal faith but urged that professional and public conduct should reflect values such as fairness, honesty, truth, integrity and justice.
National Pilot further said that if Ajide had any political, personal or other interest in the matter, it would be more appropriate for such interest to be disclosed openly rather than leave readers to speculate about the motive behind the reports.
The newspaper said the dispute between the two media organisations raised broader concerns about the future of journalism in Kwara State, particularly the standards being set for young journalists entering the profession.
It questioned what lessons young reporters would learn if experienced journalists published allegations without seeking responses from affected parties.
The management maintained that the media could not demand transparency and accountability from institutions while failing to practise the same principles in its own reporting.
National Pilot vowed to continue defending its reputation and correcting what it described as false, misleading or incomplete narratives about the organisation.
“For the avoidance of doubt, National Pilot will not be intimidated into silence, and we will not allow a one-sided narrative to become accepted as fact simply because it has been repeatedly published,” the statement said.
The newspaper urged Choice Reporters and Ajide to uphold professional standards by verifying information, investigating allegations, seeking the other side, providing context and reporting fairly.
It called on Choice Reporters to correct what it described as imbalance in its reportage and provide National Pilot the opportunity to present its position on the issues being reported.
“National Pilot believes strongly in the media profession and respects the role of journalists in holding institutions accountable. But holding institutions accountable must also mean holding ourselves as journalists accountable,” the management said.
