NUJ DISTANCES ITSELF FROM ‘SECRETS REPORTER’, URGES PUBLIC TO SEEK REDRESS OVER ALLEGED MISCONDUCT

Published By Jerry Adesewo On Nov 11, 2026

NUJ Distances Itself From ‘SECRET REPORTER’, Urges the Public to Seek Redress Over Alleged Misconduct

By Jerry Adesewo

The Union says the Facebook-based platform is not registered or recognised by its structures, following complaints from members of the public, journalists and public officials over alleged blackmail and unprofessional conduct.

For people who turn to the media for answers, expose wrongdoing or seek help in resolving grievances, the credibility of the person behind a publication matters. But what happens when a platform presents itself as a media outlet while its operators remain unknown to the professional body responsible for regulating the conduct of journalists?

That question has come to the fore following a statement by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), which has disowned a Facebook-based platform operating under the name Secrets Reporter, declaring that it is neither recognised nor registered with any of its state councils or chapels.

The Union’s position followed what it described as several complaints from members of the public, public officials and journalists concerning alleged blackmail, ethical violations and unprofessional conduct attributed to the platform.

In a statement signed by its Assistant National Secretary, Tita Onyebuchi Nze, the NUJ said its records contained no listing of Secrets Reporter as a recognised or accredited media organisation. It also disclosed that the identities of the platform’s promoters, publishers and editorial managers were unknown to the Union.

According to the statement, none of those behind the platform had formally identified themselves to the National Secretariat or any recognised organ of the association.

The development raises concerns about the growing difficulty of distinguishing accountable journalism from online platforms whose operators and editorial structures may be difficult to establish. For members of the public, the consequences can be serious, particularly when media platforms are used to publish allegations, expose individuals or make claims capable of damaging reputations.

The NUJ said it could not vouch for the professional standing or journalistic conduct of Secrets Reporter, nor attest to its compliance with the Code of Ethics for Nigerian Journalists and established principles of responsible journalism.

While reaffirming its commitment to press freedom and the constitutional right to freedom of expression, the Union stressed that these freedoms must be exercised responsibly and within the law.

It identified truth, accuracy, fairness, balance, verification and accountability as essential foundations of journalism, warning against the use of media platforms for anonymity, blackmail, intimidation, sensationalism, extortion or the settlement of personal scores.

For individuals who may have been affected by the platform’s activities, the Union’s clarification also carries a practical implication: complaints against Secrets Reporter cannot be handled through the NUJ’s professional disciplinary structures because the platform and its operators are not recognised within the Union’s jurisdiction.

The NUJ therefore advised anyone who feels aggrieved by the platform’s activities to seek redress through appropriate law enforcement agencies and other relevant statutory authorities.

It also challenged those behind the platform to disclose their identities and clarify their professional status, insisting that anyone claiming to practise journalism must be prepared to submit to the ethical standards and accountability mechanisms of the profession.

The Union, however, made it clear that its position should not be interpreted as a blanket defence of journalists or media organisations. It said it would not condone or shield any journalist found culpable of professional misconduct, irrespective of status or affiliation.

The statement comes amid wider concerns about the responsibilities that accompany the growing influence of social media in Nigeria’s information space. Digital platforms have created opportunities for citizens to share information, challenge authority and draw attention to issues that might otherwise receive little coverage. But the same accessibility can also make it difficult for audiences to establish who is publishing information, what editorial standards guide the publication and where accountability lies when harm is caused.

The distinction between exercising the right to free expression and claiming the professional legitimacy of journalism is therefore important. A platform may publish information and commentary without being affiliated with the NUJ; however, it should not misrepresent its professional status or use the authority associated with journalism to intimidate or exploit others.

Ultimately, the NUJ’s challenge to the operators of Secrets Reporter is also a call for greater transparency in Nigeria’s digital media environment. Those who publish under the banner of journalism must be willing to stand behind their work, verify their claims and accept responsibility for the consequences of their reporting.

For the public, the lesson is equally important: before accepting a publication’s claims or allowing its operators to exercise influence over personal or public affairs, it is worth asking who is behind the platform and what standards guide its work.

Press freedom is indispensable to democracy, but credibility is built on responsibility. The freedom to publish must never become a licence to intimidate, blackmail or destroy reputations without accountability.