Maiduguri – Mr Abdulwaheed Odusile the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), on Thursday, said Nigerian journalists must be respected, protected and adequately remunerated for the sustenance of democracy in the country.
Odusile made the remark at a workshop for journalists and information managers organised by the 7 Div of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri.
He said journalists must also be guaranteed access to information in the course of performing their duties.
He added that “journalists must be respected, protected and adequately remunerated, if we are serious about the sustenance of this democracy.
“Journalists should also be guaranteed access to information in the course of performing their duties.
“However, they should also use such information responsibly to ensure peace, promote growth, development and national unity.”
Odusile’s paper, delivered at the occasion, dwelt on “Understanding the Role of the Media in Promoting Peace in a Conflict Environment.”
He lamented that Nigerian journalists faced difficulties in accessing vital information from security personnel due to the lack of synergy between the two parties.
“One of the major constraints faced by the media is access to information, especially in conflict areas.
“This is where workshops like this come in, I believe this is an opportunity for security personnel to understand journalists and their ways, vice versa.”
He said that the workshop was aimed at bridging the gap between the military and journalists to better working relationship.
“If security personnel know and understand how journalists work, they will appreciate them and know when and how to engage with them to disseminate information, same applies to journalists.”
He said that journalists working in conflict areas like the North-East also faced numerous dangers.
“For the kind of environment and situation that we find ourselves in Nigeria today, especially in the North-East, journalists in the course of carrying out their assignment are faced with so many dangers.”
The president of the union likened the plight of Nigerian journalists to what happened to their colleagues in similar dangerous situation around the world.
He added that many journalists were killed, injured or harassed in war zones, either targeted by one side or caught in crossfire of violence.
Odusile said that the International Federation of Journalists had taken steps to minimise the risks faced by journalists in conflict areas.
He added that since the media had great role to play in national building, journalists must be well renumerated by their employers.
“The media has a vital role to play in nation building, by being active partners in the implementation of development processes.
“However, there are constraints facing the media which include the lack of conducive working environment, poverty, poor remuneration and the lack of training.
“As a way forward, we call for enhanced conditions of service for journalists and other workers in the media in the country.”
