The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to unveil his administration's plan and agenda for safeguarding journalists and media workers in Nigeria.
The appeal comes amidst a challenging environment where Nigerian journalists face significant risks, including harassment, intimidation, and physical attacks while carrying out their duties.
The NUJ, particularly its FCT Correspondents Chapel, has highlighted the toxic and hostile environment that journalists have been operating in over the years, labeling it as absurd, ridiculous, and unacceptable.
They have called on President Tinubu to come out clearly with comprehensive safety measures and mechanisms to enable media practitioners to perform their essential and constitutional role in democracy.
As part of their demands, the NUJ has emphasized the need for the protection of journalists while carrying out their roles as watchdogs.
They have also called for the government and security agents in Nigeria to be held accountable, with security operatives who act with impunity and without respect for democratic tenets and values to face the full wrath of the law.
The statement by the NUJ emphasizes the crucial role of journalism in democratic societies, stating that journalism is not a crime, but rather the oxygen of democracy, fostering good governance, accountability, and transparency.
They have vowed not to abdicate their statutory responsibility in upholding the Fundamental Objectives of the Direct Principles of the State Policy as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
As the world commemorates World Press Freedom Day, the NUJ's call for President Tinubu to prioritize the safety and protection of journalists in Nigeria is a timely reminder of the critical role of a free press in democratic societies.
The onus now lies on the new administration to ensure that the rights of journalists and media workers are protected, and the democratic principles of Nigeria are upheld.
