The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reveal his administration’s strategy and agenda for ensuring the protection of journalists and media personnel in Nigeria.
In a joint statement marking World Press Freedom Day on Friday, Comrade Jide Oyekunle, Chairman of FCT Correspondents Chapel, and Raphael Oni, Secretary, emphasized the need for President Tinubu to address the hazardous and antagonistic environment in which Nigerian journalists operate. They condemned it as ‘absurd, ridiculous, and unacceptable.’
The NUJ called upon President Tinubu to implement comprehensive safety measures to empower journalists to carry out their vital role in democracy.
“Today, we join the global community in marking World Press Freedom Day. We remind the Nigerian Government of its legal obligation to defend and protect the fundamental rights of Nigerians, including Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression, as enshrined in Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” the statement read.
The NUJ emphasized the diminishing media space, the hostile atmosphere, and the dangers confronting journalists, which include harassment, intimidation, and physical assaults. They called for tangible actions from the government to ensure the protection of journalists and accountability from security agencies.
“The security operatives who act with impunity and disregard democratic tenets must face the law. Incessant attacks on journalists and media workers are unacceptable and condemnable. These attacks must stop. Journalists must be protected to carry out their responsibilities without fear of violence or retribution,” the union emphasized.
The NUJ reiterated that journalism is not a crime but a vital pillar of democracy and a catalyst for positive change.
“If democracy is about good governance, accountability, and transparency, then Press Freedom should not be denied, curtailed, restricted, or taken away,” the statement added.
