The Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN), North Central Zone, has felicitated with the Muslim Ummah across Nigeria and beyond on the occasion of the new Islamic year, 1447 After Hijrah (AH).
In a message signed by the Zonal Coordinator, Mallam Mustafa Abubakar, the Muslim media body expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for preserving the lives of Muslims to witness the dawn of a new Hijrah year, which marks the migration of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Makkah to Madinah a pivotal event in Islamic history.
Mallam Abubakar called on Muslims, especially media practitioners, to draw inspiration from the spiritual and ethical lessons of the Hijrah, which symbolises truth, sacrifice, and reform.
He particularly emphasised the importance of truthfulness and verification in journalism, warning against the destructive impact of unverified information in the media landscape.
He cited Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 6, as a foundational guideline for ethical information dissemination.
“O you who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with any news, investigate it carefully, lest you harm people in ignorance and afterwards report was untrue. It was in response to this incident that Surah Al-Hujurat 49:6 was revealed emphasizing that news must be verified before action is taken.
This Hadith directly connects the divine instruction to a real-life incident involving miscommunication and false reporting, illustrating the catastrophic consequences of spreading unchecked information.
Mallam Abubakar stressed that the principle mirrors Article 1 of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Code of Ethics, which states: “A journalist should ensure that the information he disseminates is honestly conveyed, accurate and fair.”
“It is clear that the Qur’an and the Sunnah strongly advocate for diligence, accuracy, and verification values that also form the bedrock of responsible journalism”, he said.
He noted that the profession of journalism, when guided by both divine ethics and professional standards, can play a major role in nation building, peace promotion, and development.
Mallam Abubakar urged Muslim journalists to see themselves not just as conveyors of information, but as moral agents entrusted with the sacred duty of upholding truth.
He also prayed for the peace, security, and moral rebirth of Nigeria in the new Hijrah year.
“May Allah make this new year a turning point for our nation, our media, and our lives. Let us begin it with sincerity, truthfulness, and a renewed commitment to ethical communication”, he added.
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