Atsaka told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi on Thursday that journalists must insist on getting both sides of a story so as to be fair to all.

He also cautioned against compromising professional conduct which could drag the name of the profession to disrepute.

“Journalists must strive to be credible; this is very necessary to ensure trust and respect.

“Once society begins to distrust the media, the country will be doomed because there shall be no medium through which people will know the truth,” he said.

Atsaka also advised journalists against using the media to cause disaffection among Nigerians, and particularly warned against concocting stories “just to satisfy selfish interests”.

He urged journalists practising in Benue to be wary of politicians seeking to use them to carry out campaigns of calumny aimed at destroying opponents in the battles for elective positions, and vowed to rid Benue of such junk journalists.

“The local government elections are around the corner. Desperate politicians will seek to use the media to destroy others. No journalists should agree to be so used,” he said.

The NUJ official thanked the Benue Government for providing a conducive working environment for journalists, and promised to help its quest for a better Benue. (NAN)