The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, DAAR Communications Plc, Patrick Abulu, has called on media organizations in Nigeria, to ensure adequate protection for journalists in the country.
Abulu said Nigerian journalists deserve better treatment, in terms of welfare and safety from their employees, in the discharge of their duties, as the watchdog of society.
Abulu’s message is contained in a statement signed by the Secretary, NUJ, DAAR Communications, Omor Bazuaye, in commemoration of this year’s World Press Freedom Day.
The statement reminded practitioners, of the need to always abide by the ethics of their profession, even as he enjoined them to remain resolute at all times, in their pursuit of diligence and excellent service delivery.
Abulu said the theme for this year’s World Press Freedom Day: “Journalism under digital siege”, should be a wake-up call to all journalists in DAAR Communications and elsewhere, to equip themselves with the necessary skills, to put to good use, the benefits of digital media technology, and rise above its many challenges, especially as it relates to “fake news”.
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He also called on the management of DAAR Communications to pay greater attention to the welfare of journalists, and ensure that those assigned to flashpoints are adequately insured and protected, in the course of discharging their duties.
Abulu noted that according to UNESCO’s latest report, surveillance and digitally-mediated attacks, the consequences of public trust in digital communications and hacking are compromising journalism, and wants DAAR Management to increase training opportunities for journalists in this regard.
According to Abulu, a UNESCO report has revealed that surveillance can expose information gathered by journalists including those from whistle-blowers and that this violates the principles of source protection, which is universally considered, a prerequisite for freedom of the media, as enshrined in the United Nations resolutions.
To this end, NUJ DAAR called on the management, and indeed other media organisations, to imbibe the culture of providing adequate protection for journalists’ sources of vital information, and be ready at all times, to back the journalists in times of litigation.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
