By: Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Sokoto State Council, Usman Muhammad Binji, has emphasized the need for journalists to harness technology without losing their ethical compass.

He made this known during a one-day capacity-building workshop for journalists in Sokoto.

The workshop, themed “Investigative Journalism in the Digital Era,” served as a reminder to journalists of the power and responsibility they hold in shaping public opinion.

The first paper, titled “Investigative Journalism in the Digital Era: Tools, Techniques, and Safety in Data, Mobile, and AI Reporting,” was delivered by veteran journalist Abdallah Elkurebe. It guided participants through the evolving landscape of modern reporting.

The second paper, “Ethics, Editorial Power, and the Pursuit of Solutions: Redefining Journalism’s Role in Peacebuilding and Sustainable Development,” was presented by Abdul Hakeem AbdulGaniyu of Usmanu Danfodiyo University. It challenged journalists to think beyond news and scandals, reminding them that editorial judgments must be guided by integrity, fairness, and empathy.

Comrade Binji reminded journalists across the country that they are operating at a crucial time when misinformation spreads faster than facts, when social media has blurred the line between news and noise, and when public trust in the media must be earned every single day.

He expressed gratitude to the Minister of State for Works, Barr. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, for his financial support toward the success of the workshop.

Binji expressed hope that the workshop would inspire a new generation of journalists who combine skill with conscience and understand that journalism is not just a profession but a sacred trust between the media and the people.