November 2 every year is marked as the International Day to End Impunity for Crime against Journalists.
It is aimed at drawing the attention of leaders around the world to the need to take punitive actions towards ensuring perpetrators of crimes against journalists do not go unpunished.
As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate the day, a cross-section of veteran journalists in Nasarawa State has advocated the setting up of a Journalists’ Protective Agency, aimed at ending impunity for crimes against media professionals, to guarantee freedom of expression and access to information for citizens of the country.
Journalists in Nasarawa State recount their ordeals as the world marks The International Day To End Impunity On Journalists.
They called on the state and federal governments to always investigate matters that may have led to an attack on a journalist.
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Some of them pointed out that the impunity for crimes against journalists is a result of bad governance and the absence of social justice.
They however called on the Nigerian leaders to exhibit a real commitment towards investigating all forms of crimes against journalists, and ensure exhaustive prosecution towards the perpetrators, as the success Nigeria had recorded since independence cannot be complete without the role of the media.
Reacting to the alleged culpability by the security agencies in the impunity for crimes against journalists, the Nasarawa State Commissioner of Police, Adesina Soyemi said, the police has high regard for the contributions of journalists in nation-building
He however called on journalists to maintain professionalism and ethical values in their reportage, for sustainable peace and unity of the country.
Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe
