Editors of the Idoma clime, under the auspices of Idoma League of Editors (ILE) have termed as mere political vendetta, a fresh allegation by a section of the media that former Senate President, Sen. David Mark was indicted in the Panama Papers recently released to expose top politicians, who have secret assets around the world.
In a statement jointly signed by Adoyi Abah Ali (President), Yemi Itodo (Secretary) and other Exco members, the editors said continuous attacks on Mark by fellow journalists were becoming worrisome, advising fellow journalists to establish a clear-cut difference between professionalism and politics of bitterness.
‘’Journalists should professionally establish a clear-cut relationship between verifiable reports and politics of bitterness and exclusivity. We must know that ours is a job that can only survive when we uphold the truth at all times, instead of being induced to suppress a political enemy,’’ ILE said.
The editors further threatened to expose those behind the alleged fake report, stating that by their investigation, they had come to understand the motive of those ‘’using the media to suppress David Mark after having realized that the crisis which they created in their fold may have become their greatest undoing.’’
‘’As journalists, if this selective negative reports continue, we may be forced to make public our investigation on those behind them, even as we urge our fellow journalists to wake up to the realization that Nigerians now understand how some sections of the media are continuously sacrificing the ethics of the job to satisfy a few political ‘gladiators’ who view themselves as ‘demi-gods.’
‘’We want to warn, therefore, that any further unfounded media attack on David Mark will be seen as an attack on Benue people, the Idoma nation, and the League of Idoma Editors, and we shall for the first time take on those bandying fictitious claims and reports.
‘’Even as we abhor corruption as news makers and editors, we will not succumb to media manipulation against some eminent individuals due to their unique political philosophy and ideology. We have remained positive that the ongoing war against corruption will yield positive results, but we will resist attempts by some individuals to denigrate politicians unnecessarily.
“We call on all journalists, particularly the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, to put a check on what has now become the unfortunate manipulative era of journalism”, the statement read.
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