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By Oluseye Ojo
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has said journalists have made the world a better place with timely and objective dissemination of information to large and heterogeneous audiences almost simultaneously for centuries.
This was contained in a statement by the national secretariat of the union and signed by the National Secretary, Achike Chude, on behalf of the National President, Alhassan Yahya.
it read: ”As the world celebrates World News Day, we are reminded once more of the absolute importance of news carriage across communities, organisations, nations and the global space.
“In more specific terms, World News Day, celebrated on September 28th, highlights the importance of journalism in shaping our understanding of global events.
“This is a special day that recognises the tireless efforts of journalists, who risk everything to bring us news from around the world.
“The universal recognition of the role of journalists even in spite of inherent risks and dangers is based on the acknowledgement that the survival and progress of human society is dependent on shining light in the darkest corners and crevices of the human space to inform, to hold accountable, those in power, expose corruption and human rights abuses as well as other forms of injustices.”
The NUJ noted that at the social level, news across communities, nations, and around the world promotes cultural fertilisations, understanding and tolerance among people of different persuasions.
The impact of journalism in helping to shape public opinion, the statement stated further, has helped in catalysing policy changes as well as drive social change and movements.
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“This is a day to declare to journalists all over the world that theirs is a special and pivotal responsibility that has helped to make the world a better place across centuries and generations.
“We are ever conscious of the myriads of challenges faced by the people of the noble profession in our country; from threats, harassment and intimidation by those in power, and sometimes by non-state actors, the lack of adequate tools of the trade, toxic work environments, …
inadequate or non-existing remunerations as well as other factors inimical to the sound practice of the profession,” the statement read in part.
The union noted the heroic duties that journalists performed during the military era, which led to the ongoing uninterrupted democratic governance in the country since 1999.
The NUJ enjoined journalists to keep the faith as they jointly strive to overcome the challenges and make the profession more fulfilling not just to societal demands, but also to the purveyors of news themselves.
The statement stated that the union has been committing itself at all times to promoting and protecting the interests of journalists in Nigeria and beyond.
“We will continue to fight to dismantle all those vestiges of media emasculation, such as the obnoxious cybercrime act as well as other unwholesome anti-media laws and attitudes that impede our ability to fulfil Section 22 of the Nigerian Constitution, which states that ‘the press, radio, television, and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people.’
“As we celebrate our day, we call on our colleagues to remember that as journalists they are called to a very high standard of ethical conduct and objectivity in the practice of their profession,” the statement added.
