As the world marks World Press Freedom Day, the leadership of the Bayelsa State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has called for a collective action among stakeholders within the media space to guard against repressiveness and take concerted steps towards upholding the tenets of democracy.
In a statement to commemorate this year’s World Press Freedom Day, the State NUJ Chairman, Comrade Tonye Yemoleigha, saluted the resilience of Nigerian journalists “despite a very challenging media environment orchestrated at silencing the Press.”
Yemoleigha said press freedom remains a cornerstone of democracy and development, suing for enabling laws that protect press freedom, improved welfare and social safety nets for journalists.
“Society, government particularly, owes it a duty to institutionalize the safety of journalists and provide them with the required safety nets,” the veteran journalist said.
Yemoleigha also frowned at incidents of attack on Journalists in the line of duty and called on event organizers in the state and beyond to guard against it.
“The NUJ will not hesitate to blacklist any organization or institution that fails to protect the rights of journalists during their events.
“While journalists have an obligation to gather information and report same to keep society informed and educated, the Union will equally not allow its members to be exposed to harm and threat to life,” Yemoleigha cautioned in the statement.