Ekiti Shariah Panel : MMPN Cautions Media Against Inaccurate Reportage ,Undue Sensationalism 

The Chairman, of MMPN in Ekiti State , Alhaji Yusuf Akeusola who led other  members of the Association on courtesy visits to media organisations  in Ekiti also cleared the air on the fears in some quarters about introduction of panel .

The  MMPN  Chairman said the visits became imperative in view of the recent misgivings regarding the recently established Shariah Arbitration Panel which some sections in Ekiti State perceived as a threat to the homogeneity and unity of Ekiti State.

At the   Fresh FM and Voice FM  both in Ado Ekiti ,Alhaji Akeusola underscored the importance of accurate reportage on sensitive issues, particularly about Muslims and Islam,  and adherence to best  ethical practices inorder not to cause unnecessary tension.

Alhaji Akeusola urged the Managements of the Media organizations to always cross check and verify the way news and names related to Islam are translated from English to Yoruba in order to avoid dissemination of false information to the public .

He posited that the Sharia Arbitration Panel recently established in Ekiti State was not a court as it was described by some Yoruba newscasters adding that the body could not sanction, sentence nor penalize any individual who agrees to feature at it’s sitting.

The General Manager of Fresh FM, Mr Jide Ogunluyi was on ground to recieve the MMPN team while the Accountant recieved them on half of the Voice FM General Manager,  Management and staff.

At the two private radio stations, MMPN chairman, Ekiti State highlighted the purpose of the visit with a special focus on the misrepresentation in  some sections of the media on issues related to the Ekiti Sharia Arbitration Panel.

The MMPN also urged the media organizations Management to be wary of individuals invited as guests, preachers and sponsors on their radio stations noting that messages passed by them could trigger animosity and ill-feeling among people of diverse religions, tribes and parties.

While humbly requesting for more support and synergy, the Muslim Media Practitioners  promised to always provide expertise advice and ideas that could further foster unity and togetherness in Ekiti State through the power of the media.

In his response, the General Manager of Fresh FM, Ado Ekiti, Mr Jide Ogunluyi thanked the MMPN Executives for the visit describing it as eye -opening with an assurance that more priority will be accorded to programs that will allow Muslims to sensitize the general public on salient and pertinent issues.

He promised to grant the MMPN the privilege to present perosanalities that could feature on a 15 minutes program to discuss topical issues related to Islam and the society at large.

Mr Ogunluyi who said he was born by  Muslim mother with the Muslim name , Abdul-Fatah said there was not basis for apprehension over the introduction of the Sharia Arbitration Panel in Ekiti State since it’s mainly for interested muslims and not the general public.

He urged everyone in Ekiti State to eschew violence and avoid statements or actions that could fuel violence.

At Voice FM also in Ado Ekiti, the reception was equally awesome though the General Manager was unavoidably absent.

The management promised to convey the messages from the MMPN to the Chairman and General Manager of the radio station with an assurance that the points raised would be adequately noted and worked on to strengthen the bond of unity in Ekiti State.

On the team of MMPN was the secretary, Alhaji Qozeem Oladapo and other members including the PRO, Moshood Abdulsalam, Alhaji Tajudeen Olohunkemi and Mulikat who are all media practitioners.