In today’s fast-paced media landscape, ethical journalism is considered essential for society as it upholds standards of integrity, accuracy, and accountability. It also nurtures public trust by ensuring that information disseminated is verified and unbiased, which is crucial in combating misinformation.
This principle further encourages diverse perspectives, which enrich public discourse and support informed decision-making. This foundation of truthfulness and transparency strengthens democracy by holding authorities accountable and promoting civic engagement. In today’s swiftly changing media environment, where misinformation can spread easily, maintaining strong ethical guidelines is more important than ever.
However, among few other media houses known for consistent ethical professional practices is, The Street Journal Magazine, a news outfit of many decades with reputational excellence, owned by Mogaji Wole Arisekola.
For them at The Street Journal, journalists are tasked with the responsibility of verifying information before publication, requiring thorough research and fact-checking. This commitment is impressively helping them to establish trust between journalists and their audience, a crucial component in a society that relies on accurate information for informed decision-making.
Moreover, Arisekola emphasizes the importance of impartiality and fairness, compelling his team to endeavor to present diverse perspectives, offering a balanced view of events and issues. This approach not merely enriches public discourse but additionally contributes to a more democratic society by ensuring that all voices are heard.
Additionally, his ethical principles dictate that journalists must respect the privacy and dignity of individuals, particularly when reporting on sensitive matters. This respect nurtures a culture of empathy and comprehension, further enhancing the journalistic mission of serving the public interest.
They don’t alter facts. For that reason, Arisekola and his team refrains outright from assigning fictional names, ages, places or dates, and it strictly limits the use of other concealment devices, they often lay their facts bare.
The Street Journal Magazine vigorously protects the confidentiality of its newsgathering materials, including the identity of confidential sources, communications with sources, research, notes, recordings, transcripts and unpublished drafts. These materials typically are subject to significant legal protections against compelled disclosure.
More interestingly staff members don’t disclose unpublished news-gathering materials, nor offer to testify or provide sworn statements regarding their work. They usually abide by applicable company information security policies and guidance to prevent inadvertent disclosure of news-gathering and their sources.
In reality, the compass of ethical journalism relies on the public’s active participation. By nurturing media literacy, individuals can discern credible sources from sensationalism, empowering them to demand integrity in reporting. Public engagement through discussions, feedback, and supporting reputable outlets cultivates a culture of accountability.
As stewards of information, citizens play a crucial role in shaping the media environment, ensuring that ethical journalism remains a guiding light in a complex world, and of course the team of The Street Journal Magazine and it’s owner, Mogaji Wole Arisekola who are enablers of ethical journalism should indeed be commended and rewarded for upholding this rare virtue in news production.
-Emmanuel Ajibulu is the editor-in-chief and publisher of Veracity Desk (veracitydesk.com), a general purpose online news platform (veracitydesk@gmail.com).
