*Family clears him over alleged forced marriage The Emir of Talata Mafara in Zamfara, State, Dr Bello Muhammad Barmo, has tas
*Family clears him over alleged forced marriage
The Emir of Talata Mafara in Zamfara, State, Dr Bello Muhammad Barmo, has tasked journalists on the need to embrace professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
Barmo also called on the journalists and media organisations to avoid the dissemination of fake news that are capable of causing the breach of peace.
The emir was reacting to a recent viral media report accusing him of forcing a lady, Maryam, to marry a wealthy man, Alhaji Ma’awiyya, in the town reportedly against her wish.
The emir lamented that the fake news that went viral was published by an online media outfit, without balancing it.
Receiving the parents of Maryam in his Palace in Talata Mafara on Tuesday, the emir described the action of the medium as an unprofessional journalism.
“You know recently, the online media spread a fake news from an interview with Hafsat Shehu, a mother to Maryam accusing me and my palace of forcing her daughter to marry a wealthy man against her choice.
“Today, the parents of Maryam are here to seek for forgiveness from me over their wrong doing of blackmailing me and also Talata Mafara Emirate,” the emir added.
Barmo lamented that the circulation of the ‘unregulated fake news’ by responsible media organisation was capable of creating a conflict, disunity, distraction of peace and stability in the society.
He urged journalists to always verify their stories before going to press, adding that the idea of breaking the news can sometimes be detrimental to the image of the media organisations.
“All those fake news concerning Maryam’s marriage issues that happened since 2022 circulating on social media with liars were false.
“The story was created and disseminated unprofessionally, and nobody came to us to verify such news.
“I wonder how a reputable media house produced a story without balancing, I know balancing a one-sided story is part of the rules of journalism,” the traditional leader added.
Barmo also called on media organisations to always verify information before sharing as it as news items.
Reacting to the parents request, the Emir said: “A Muslims who follow the teachings of Prophet Muhammad SAW, I have no option than to forgive you”.
“I also urge you to embrace justice and fairness and always avoid liars.
Speaking earlier, Malam Nasiru Saleh and Malam Bashir Musa, who led a delegation of Maryam’s parents sought for forgiveness from the emir over their wrong action of spreading fake information against him.
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