The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has suspended one of its members, Mr. Steve Osuji, for violating the “off the record” provision in the Code of Ethics for journalists in Nigeria.
In a press statement on Thursday by Mr. Eze Anaba (President) and Mr. Onuoha Ukeh (General Secretary), the Guild stated that there was an agreement that the keynote address delivered by the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, at its 25th Biennial National Convention in Enugu, was off-the-record and not for publication.
The Guild said that despite announcement of this agreement, “a senior journalist and member of the Guild, Mr. Steve Osuji, published an article based on the presentation on his social media platforms, breaching our Code of Ethics on confidentiality.”
The professional body said that it “takes this professional misconduct seriously and has announced the suspension of Mr. Osuji from our professional body for one year, effective immediately.
The NGE apologized to the Director-General of the SSS and the institution he represents for the embarrassment caused by Mr. Osuji’s actions, while reaffirming its “commitment to upholding the highest standards of journalism and ensuring that our members adhere to our code of ethics.”
The NGE said: “Mr. Osuji will have the opportunity to appeal this decision.”
The Guild also restated its dedication “to promoting professional conduct and maintaining public trust in the media.”
Reacting to his suspension, Mr. Osuji told THISAGE that he did not see anything wrong with the published article that warranted his suspension.
He said the editors’ conference had security as its theme and he does not understand why the DG of DSS should have been allowed to speak anonymously.
According to him, what he subsequently published in his article now considered a breach of confidentiality, contained the questions he would have asked the spy chief-Why is security failing us? Why is intelligence failing us?
He further said he rejected the persuasion by the Guild’s Exco that he pulled down the article published on his Facebook wall.
Explaining, he said: “They told me that the DG of DSS asked for confidentiality, and everybody agreed that what he said should be off record. I did not hear that. He did not take questions, and I took notes. My article is my opinion, and I have a right to hold my opinion. There is nothing for me to add.”
