GDJ boss stresses need for Journalists to shun slander, libel

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The protem Chairman of Guild of Digital Journalists, (GDJ), Mr. Opeyemi Daniel Adeoti has stressed need for journalists in the country to shun slanderous and libelous reportage, while paying heed to balance their information before publishing.

Speaking on Thursday while featuring on a Kwara TV morning talk show, AM Drive, Mr Adeoti frowned at any attempt to gag or harass journalists in the country.

He said, “the men of the pen profession should be allowed to carry out their constitutionally assigned role without fear or favour.”

Explaining this balanced view he said, “in a democratic setting, anybody that is aggrieved can approach the court and seek a redress in which the court will decide according to the law, but harassment is when journalists are been detained more than the stipulated time allowed in the constitution.”

While emphasizing the membership structure of GDJ, Mr Adeoti stated that every member had a prior stint with one main stream media organization or another before bringing their wealth of experiences into the digital space, where they continue to exhibit sterling professional ethics.

According to the chairman, the GDJ membership comprises of Editors, Editors-in-Chief and publishers of digital media platforms that are based primarily in Kwara and some neighboring states like Osun, Kogi, Lagos and others.

“This calibre of members is largely the main reason incidences of fake news and other unethical practices have never been reported of GDJ members,” Mr Adeoti asserted.