By Joshua Yousouph
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime industry have charged maritime journalists to uphold the highest standards of ethical journalism as a critical tool for advancing transparency, accountability, security, and sustainable development within the sector.
The call was made on Thursday during the inauguration of the newly elected Executive Council of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) in Lagos, where industry leaders, government officials, and media professionals gathered to discuss the theme: “Upholding Ethical Journalism for Maritime Development.”
In his keynote presentation, CEO Indigo Integrated, Mr. Bolaji Abimbola, described journalism as the backbone of accountability, public trust, and informed citizenship, stressing that ethical reporting remains essential to national and maritime development.
According to him, maritime development encompasses the growth of shipping, ports, fisheries, offshore energy, coastal trade, and the blue economy, adding that unethical reporting could negatively impact investor confidence, maritime security, policy implementation, and environmental sustainability.
He noted that false reports on issues such as port congestion, piracy, and maritime policies could discourage investors and shipping operators, while sensational reporting of security incidents could create unnecessary panic.
Abimbola urged journalists to prioritize truth, fairness, balance, accountability, and humanity in their reporting, emphasizing the need for greater use of data, context, and investigative journalism in covering maritime affairs.
He also identified economic pressures, political interference, safety risks, and the rapid spread of misinformation through digital platforms as major threats to ethical journalism in Nigeria.
Speaking as Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Emmanuel Maiguwa, President of Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN) underscored the importance of ethical and investigative journalism in strengthening governance and promoting accountability within the maritime sector.
Maiguwa emphasized that journalists must remain committed to fact-based reporting and continuous professional development in order to maintain public trust and contribute meaningfully to industry reforms.
Earlier in his inaugural address, the newly sworn-in President of MARAN, Oluyinka Onigbinde, pledged to build a stronger, more united, and professionally vibrant association.
Onigbinde described MARAN as one of Nigeria’s oldest and most respected maritime journalism associations, noting that the association has consistently served as a bridge between industry stakeholders and the public through decades of policy reforms and sectoral transformations.
He said ethical journalism remains indispensable to maritime development because sustainable growth in the sector depends on credible information, transparency, and accountability.
“As maritime journalists, our duty goes beyond reporting events. We are expected to inform, educate, investigate, analyse and hold institutions accountable. We must resist sensationalism, reject misinformation and ensure that every report we publish is guided by truth, fairness, balance and professionalism,” he stated.
The MARAN President outlined his administration’s vision, which includes strengthening capacity building, promoting investigative and data-driven journalism, embracing digital transformation, protecting members’ welfare, and fostering stronger engagement with industry stakeholders while maintaining editorial independence.
He also called for unity among members, declaring that the association had moved beyond electoral divisions.
“The elections are behind us. There are no longer camps. There are no factions. There is only one MARAN,” he said.
Delivering a goodwill message, the National President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, Tochukwu Emmanuel Ezisi, described ethical journalism as a stabilizing force within the maritime sector.
Ezisi who was represented by the Association’s General Secretary, Mr Godfrey Nwosu noted that responsible reporting promotes transparency in port operations, strengthens institutional accountability, boosts investor confidence, and supports reforms across the industry.
He urged the new executive council to focus on professional standards, investigative reporting, stakeholder engagement, digital transformation, and continuous capacity development.
The NAGAFF President further reaffirmed his association’s readiness to collaborate with MARAN in areas such as training, information sharing, research, and advocacy.
Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police (Western) Command CP Toyin Agbaminoja , emphasized the strategic role of maritime journalists in promoting transparency, accountability, and public understanding of maritime issues.
The police chief who was represented by the Command Spokesman, ASP Isaac Hundeyin commended MARAN for its longstanding professionalism in reporting security matters within the ports environment, noting that the association’s coverage has contributed significantly to crime prevention awareness and public confidence in security agencies.
She assured stakeholders of the command’s commitment to maintaining a safe and business-friendly port environment through intelligence-led policing, stakeholder engagement, and inter-agency collaboration.
The commissioner encouraged the newly inaugurated executives to build on the achievements of previous administrations and uphold the highest standards of ethics, professionalism, and integrity.
The event concluded with renewed commitments from stakeholders to support ethical journalism as a catalyst for maritime development, national economic growth, and the advancement of Nigeria’s blue economy.
