As the World marks the 2018 Press Freedom Day, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ondo State Council has called on journalists to always adopt peace journalism in handling security challenges facing the country.
The Union in a statement issued by the State Chairman, James Sowole and the Secretary, Leke Adegbite reminded professionals that they can only apply fundamental principles of press freedom and defence of media independence in a peaceful atmosphere.
The statement which expressed concern over the rate insecurity that has taken dangerous religious and ethnic dimensions, advised journalists to always exercise restrain when reporting security matters.
The statement commended journalists in Ondo state for being at the forefront in upholding ethics of the profession and urged security agencies to always respect doctrine of free press especially in the coverage of security matters and ahead the 2019 General Election.
Ondo NUJ also restated the urgent need to improve on the remuneration of media practitioners, introduction of effective life media insurance scheme and regular payment of salaries by media owners to enable journalists practice freely and contribute their quota to national development.
Meanwhile Stakeholders in the media industry have been advised to continue to work together and protect the sanctity of press freedom in Nigeria.
The immediate past Vice President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Zone B,Prince Dele Atunbi gave the advice in a statement to mark the 2018 World Press Freedom Day in Abuja.
The labour leader advised the media to leverage on the theme of the celebration by keeping power in check through proper reportage of events in the country with the aim of ensuring that justice is served with the rule of law in focus.
Atunbi pleaded with journalists to take advantage of the Freedom of Information Act to project the true Nigerian perspectives and use the Act to do more of investigative reporting.
Atunbi reiterated the call for the evolution of Media Salary Structure for media practitioners in the country.
The World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by UN General Assembly in December, 1993 following the recommendation of UNESCO’s General Conference on May 3 and the theme of this year’s celebration is “Keeping Power in Check: Media Justice and The Rule of Law”.
