Press Freedom : NUJ Tasks Tinubu On Safety, Protection Of Journalists
By People’s People’s Nigeria | News
As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark this year’s World Press Freedom, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Correspondents Chapel, has tasked President Bola Tinubu to show his commitment to strengthening free press in the country, by unveiling plans for the safety and protection of media practitioners.
According to the NUJ, the Nigerian society has become toxic for media practitioners, with too many factors that adversely affect free speech and press freedom.
In a statement jointly signed by the Chairman, Jide Oyekunle and Secretary, Rachel Oni, of NUJ FCT’s Correspondents’ Chapel, the union said for democracy to survive in any society, there must be a free press.
The statement reads, “Today, we join the rest of the world to mark this year’s World Press Freedom Day. It is expedient to remind the Nigerian Government of its legal obligation to defend and protect the fundamental rights of the Nigerian people including Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression as guaranteed by section 36 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
“The media space is becoming shrinking, hostile and suffocating on a daily basis due to intolerant posture of some government officials to criticisms and dissenting voices.
“We therefore, call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to come out clearly with a comprehensive safety measures and mechanisms put in place for the Nigerian journalists and media workers to enable them perform their essential and constitutional role in democracy.
“Journalists in Nigeria face significant risks, including harassment, intimidation, and physical attacks while carrying out their statutory duties.
“We demand concrete steps from government to guarantee the protection of journalists while carrying out their roles as watchdogs.
“We demand that those who had attacked journalists in the past and infringed on Press Freedom are brought to justice forthwith.
“We demand accountability from government and security agents in Nigeria. The security operatives who act with impunity and have no respect for democratic tenets and values should be made to face the full wrath of the law.
“The incessant attacks on journalists and media workers are unacceptable and highly condemnable. These attacks must stop. Journalists must be protected to carry out their responsibilities without fear of violence or retribution”.
