BY SEGUN ADEBAYO, ABUJA – The National Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), on Sunday said that it is important to remind the government that while devising strategies to contain Covid-19, it has become imperative for a well-designed economic initiative to be considered to address a likely economic recession that may follow the pandemic.
This is as the professional and Trade Union body called for life insurance for Journalists, who are on the frontline in the coverage of the Covid-19 Pandemic as well as the provision of adequate and effective Personal Protection Equipment and palliatives to ease hardships they daily encounter while on their respective assignments.
The Union said that this is absolute necessary considering that even before the outbreak of the virus, Nigeria had been designated as the poverty capital of the world, with large segment of the population living below the poverty line.
These were contained in a statement by the National President of the NUJ, Mr Chris Isiguzo, who further said that it is feared that if the present situation persists, the nation may suffer its worse economic recession, if not depression, stressing that only a bold and well-crafted economic restructuring plan by government would mitigate.
The NUJ President said that the time for government to act is now, even as he also noted that it is becoming increasingly clear that there is an urgent need for the Federal and State Governments to as a matter of national importance intervene to save the Media Industry in the country from collapse.
Isiguzo said that media houses in the country have continued to be pivotal in the fight against Covid-19, without any support from government at all levels, stressing that this may not continue for long as many media organisations have sounded the alarm that very soon they may fold up due to harsh operating environment.
The NUJ President said; “We should not allow this to happen. We call for a Special Media Stabilisation Fund for privately owned newspapers and broadcast media so as to sustain government’s strategy in its fight to contain the spread of the Coronavirus and also ensure that the fight against the pandemic is not put in jeopardy.”
Isiguzo also called on journalists as the watchdog of the society and the “fourth estate of the realm” to encourage freedom of speech as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution as well as the fundamental objectives contained in chapter II of the Constitution and uphold the responsibility of accountability of the government to the people.
According to him, while self-regulatory mechanism is another alternative means of enforcing professionalism, he said that the Nigeria Union of Journalists as the umbrella professional platform of media practice in Nigeria encourages members on the importance of self-respect, discipline and to always stand by the truth and justice.
The NUJ President further said; “In recognition of the urgent need to enhance the working condition of journalists in the country; and considering that there can be no freedom of expression or freedom of the press where journalists work under precarious conditions and are exposed to danger, poverty or fear; the NUJ calls for concerted efforts by all stakeholders to enhance salaries, allowances, pensions and general condition of service for media professionals.
“Specifically, we call on the Federal and State Governments to take note of the fact that Journalists like in conflict situations are daily exposed to grave danger as a result of their professional calling.”
