Press Freedom Day: Lagos NUJ calls for quality reporting

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(Nigeria) The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Lagos State Council, has urged media practitioners to take cognisance of quality news reporting to enhance the profession as the World marks the Press Freedom Day.

The union in a statement by Lagos State Council, Chairman, Adeleye Ajayi and Tunde Olalere, Secretary, on Wednesday, noted that the quality of our news reports was very essential.
The union recalled that over the past 30 years, World Press Freedom Day celebrations had taken the media on a journey, giving prominence to the right to free expression and emphasizing various aspects of press freedom’s importance.
Celebrated May 3, this year’s theme for the Day: “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights,” is very apt.
The union added that in the face of multiple crises globally, media freedom, journalists’ safety and freedom of expression, as well as other human rights were increasingly under attack.
NUJ said that the day reminded the government of its duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression as enshrined in Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The statement, said: “Government is expected to demonstrate strong will to promote press freedom as enshrined in Section 39 of the amended 1999 constitution which states that every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression including the freedom to hold opinions and to impart ideas and information without interference.

“The World Press Freedom Day also serves to commemorate journalists who lost their lives in support of free press. We can say that the media in Nigeria has done fairly well over the years.
“While we talk of quality report, we must also quickly point out the need for adequate welfare of these journalists who also spend quality time on the field gathering news.
“Pertinent questions therefore, are: Are journalists well remunerated, are they paid hazard allowances, are they entitled to medical allowances, and most importantly are they paid constantly?’’ the union asked.

*Lagos State Council, Chairman, Adeleye Ajayi

NUJ explained that commemoration of a day like this should be an opportunity for owners of media outlets to take stock of their activities over the years, including the quality of their reports and reporters and then genuinely rate themselves.
It said: “We journalists deserve commendation for our contributions to the political and economic development of the country.
“Our continued relevance in the country's march to nation building cannot be overemphasized. The celebration of the World Press Freedom Day gives the peculiar avenue to appreciate the vital roles being played daily by the media in various societies.
“Our status as the Fourth Estate of the Realm is irreplaceable in nation-building, because we serve as the watchdogs of successive administrations to hold them accountable to the people in line with section 22 of the amended 1999 constitution.
“Section 22 compels the press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media to at all times be free to uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people.’’
The union said that governments at all levels should create conducive working environment for journalists through a healthy partnership.
The union advised members to shun all acts that could compromise the ethics of the profession and be focused on issues of development.
“The media should continue to be guided by the ethics of the noble profession and shun sentiments, partisanship, and fake or unverified news stories so that together, we can build a better future.
“There is the need to hunt for perpetrators of fake news among us. We should equip ourselves with correct information.
“At the same time, there should be adequate security for journalists. The NUJ Lagos Council is pushing for insurance cover for journalists,’’ it said.
The union also stressed the need to address impunity against journalists in all forms.
``Government should secure justice for journalists either murdered or harassed for their work.
``Special tributes to people daily helping us to uncover stories of injustice, corruption, abuse of power, rights violations and societal rots,’’ the union said.
The Lagos Council was very optimistic that the Nigerian media would achieve all set goals in the nearest future, if the salient points raised here were taken into consideration.

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