Kaduna — Nigeria Union of Journalists in Yobe State has blacklisted the Desert Herald, a Kaduna based monthly newspaper.

The decision was taken at a press conference in Damaturu last Wednesday. The union said the decision was to stem the negative trend of the paper which was tarnishing the image of the profession.

The union called on the general public not to relate with the paper, as it had through its publisher, Malam Tukur Mamu continued to engage in blackmail, character assassination and lies, while also engaging in acts that are against the code of ethics in the profession.

The state chairman of the NUJ Comrade Ahmed Bedu who addressed the press conference in Damaturu on Wednesday said the state chapter has tabled a formal complaint to the National Executive Council (NEC) of the NUJ during its meeting in Jalingo, Taraba State penultimate Saturday against the "stubbornness of Desert Herald".

Comrade Bedu said, "I want to emphasize here that the Yobe State NUJ is credible and its members have continued to tow the path of fair play, justice and peace with the overall aim of enhancing unity and tranquility in Nigeria".

He challenged Mamu to show the particulars of registration of his newspaper with the National Press Council and other regulatory agencies adding that the union must take a bold step to protect Nigerian citizens from malicious and ungodly publications in the name of journalism.

"The union has therefore conferred on us the power to flush out quacks among us. This is indeed a task that must be accomplished", the NUJ chairman said.

Bedu said, "I want to inform you that by this address, the Desert Herald is hereby blacklisted. Members of the general public are therefore advised not to have any dealings with the paper".

The zonal national vice chairman, who was in attendance, Alhaji Mukhtar Gidado, acknowledged the receipt of formal complaint against the Desert Herald saying the national secretariat of the union has commenced investigation into the "raging feud between the Yobe chapter of the NUJ and the Desert Herald".