As the ravaging effects of coronavirus continue globally, the umbrella body of journalists in Nigeria, the NUJ has called on the federal government to make efforts to provide palliatives and safety kits for practitioners in view of the role they play in informing the people.
NUJ in a release jointly signed by the National President, Chris Isiguzo and the National Secretary, Shuaibu Usman Leman, the union maintained that journalists are vulnerable because they are at the forefront of reporting the endemic virus daily, even while other citizens are confined to their homes.
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“The NIGERIA Union of Journalists wishes to stress the fact that one of the fundamental rights of the citizen is to be well informed and that quality information is only possible in a safe environment where freedom of expression, freedom to inform and the right to know are exercised.
“Regrettably, while the COVID-19 crisis confines the nation with unprecedented health, social and economic consequences, journalists are more than ever essential in publishing quality information. And this should be accomplished in complete safety.
“At the moment, journalists have become even more vulnerable because they are at the forefront of daily reportage of developments from this pandemic. Various states of the country are already on lockdown and the citizens confined to their homes but one thing remains constant; journalists are out there ensuring that the people are well informed of developments surrounding the rampaging Coronavirus.
“Nothing indeed compares with the events of recent weeks in terms of the global impact on media around the world of COVID-19 and the unprecedented scale of the story, and the demands it is making on journalism and on us as journalists.
“It has, therefore, become imperative that we urgently call on the Federal and State Governments to provide safety kits and palliative to Journalists to enable them to do their work in safety and relative comfort. Its also of great importance that government must come up with ways of cushioning the effect of this pandemic on Media houses in order to ensure they sustain the tempo of their coverage of this pandemic” he said.
Mr. Isiguzo also cautioned journalists on sensational reportage and ethics in the performance of their duties, warning them to observe accuracy and facts.
“Journalists on assignment should bear in mind that responsible and ethical journalism is vital to the reporting of this pandemic.
“We must avoid sensationalism and scaremonger, avoid racial profiling, ensure the protection of affected persons to avoid stigmatization; maintain accuracy and report facts; seek expert opinion where necessary and provide context and point people to authoritative and credible information sources and resources in view of the prevalence of fake news, among others.
“Most importantly, we must ensure that we stay safe bearing in mind that the pandemic is already taking its toll on all of us. In event of any emergency, the following lines are available for journalists to reach out to the National Secretariat:
“08076032723, 08034004239”.
