Report fairly, media told

By REBECCA KUKU in Parliament
MINISTER for Communication and Information Timothy Masiu has called on the mainstream media “to make fair and balanced reports” that will help the country progress.
Masiu was concerned about the “trend of reporting” last Friday in parliament during a grievance debate.
He said recently, media reports making headlines were portraying a bad image of the country to the global community.
“Many times, reporters are not checking their facts. Reporters need to cross-check their facts and have balanced stories,” he said.
“This is your country. Don’t just publish the negative to sell your newspapers to make money for other people. Report on the positive things as well,” he said.
Masiu said the country needed and deserved “good publicity”.
“I don’t think reporters are being responsible in their reporting. We need universities to start teaching journalists well,” he said.
“There is a code of ethics. Reporters must always report based on facts and ensure that all stories are balanced.”
Masiu said leaders should be given prominence for the hard work they did.
He advised reporters unable to get appointments with MPs for their stories to see him so he could arrange it for them.
“This is our country. Every piece you write leaves a mark on history and creates a perception. So don’t just concentrate on the negative. Report the good work done so far too,” he said.