Assault On Media Alarming And Worrisome – NUJ
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO, ABUJA – The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Wednesday took a critical view on the unfortunate attack on Television Continental (TVC), declaring that the impunity against journalists and media in the country is alarming and worrisome.
The NUJ while condemning in strong terms, the attack by unknown persons on TCV in Lagos and other media houses in the country, stressed that the acts of recklessness on the media are barbaric, cannot be justified and must be curtailed immediately.
The NUJ therefore demanded an immediate investigation into circumstances that led to the burning down of the TVC station.
In a statement by the National Secretary of the Union, Mr Shuaibu Usman Leman noted that the assault against free press is mostly evident in countries where there are dictatorships and authoritarian governments.
According to the NUJ; “Sadly, we are witnessing these attacks being targeted against media houses and journalists in Nigeria with the lives of Reporters being daily endangered and continue to be as they cover the #EndSARS protests, and other flash point.
“While there is no way of knowing the motivation of every single attack against the media, we worry why Government is not showing support and concern for the safety and security of media personnel and equipment”.
The Union called on journalists to note that self-preservation, and staying alive should always be the first safety code, stressing that no assignment is worthy of the life of a media worker.
The NUJ said; “Journalists should always evaluate the physical and mental demands of assignments, especially in crises or conflict situations, before embarking on them”.
