WPFD: Osun NUJ Urges Journalists To Hold Government Accountable To People

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Osun State Council, has called on journalists in the country to always hold the government accountable to the people.

It also charged them to continuously ensure that the right of the public to access information is protected, as the council marks 2020 World Press Freedom Day.

The union further challenged newsmen to be resolute and responsible in the course of discharging their duties despite daunting challenges hindering freedom of press, saying any society that lost vibrant media has lost integral part of democracy at the peril of sustainable development and growth .

Osun NUJ in a statement signed by the Chairman of the council, Comrade Kehinde Ayantunji and the Secretary, Bukola Elufadejin, and made available to CityMirrorNews on Sunday expressed concerns about prevailing harassment, intimidation and incarceration of journalists in Nigeria despite 21 years of uninterrupted democracy.

It therefore called on all democratic institutions, particularly judiciary to rise in support of free press for a prosperous and sustainable democracy.

The union , while reflecting on the theme of this year world press freedom day ” Journalism without fear or favour ” urged members to always practise ethical journalisim by upholding integrity and public interest above any other consideration.

” We salute the courage, doggedness and perseverance displayed by journalists in Nigeria in the face of social, political and economic challenges.

“As the conscience of the society, we have no choice than to double our efforts with responsible journalisim as a way of making life more abundant for the people.

“The economic and working condition of journalists in Nigeria is no doubt worrisome and utterly discouraging, however, our resolute to promote good governance and development should be practivally unshakeable, knowing fully well that journalism is a public trust.”

The council, while using the 2020 world press freedom day to call for an end to all forms of harassment against Journalists also demanded for the release of journalists, who are currently in detention in the course of performing their constitutional obligation.

It also demanded better pay for media practitioners to enhance their capacity and ensure decent living standard.

It then called on its members to take all precautionary measures in the coverage of Covid-19 pandemic, as it demanded life insurance for journalists in line with what is applicable to health workers involved in the fight aginst dreaded Coronavirus.