The National Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ) has called on federal and state governments to make provision for life insurance for journalists who are on the frontline in the coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as provision of adequate and effective Personal Protection Equipment and palliatives to ease hardships they daily encounter while on their respective assignments.
The Union also says it is becoming increasingly clear that there is an urgent need for the Federal and State Governments to intervene to save the Media Industry from collapse.
In a release signed by the National President of the Union, Chris Isiguzo on Sunday, he said media houses have continued to be pivotal in the fight against COVID-19, without any support from government at all levels, maintaining that this may not continue for long as many media organisations have sounded the alarm that very soon they may fold up due to harsh operating environment. “We should not allow this to happen” he appealed.
Mr. Isiguzo while describing journalists as the watchdog of the society and the “fourth estate of the realm” called for establishment of funds for privately owned media houses to sustain the efforts of government in the fight against COVID-19.
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“We call for a Special Media Stabilisation Fund for privately owned newspapers and broadcast media so as to sustain government’s strategy in its fight to contain the spread of the Coronavirus and also ensure that the fight against the pandemic is not put in jeopardy.
“It is also important to remind government that while devising strategies to contain Covid-19, it has become imperative for a well designed economic initiative to be considered to address a likely economic recession that may follow considering that even before the outbreak of the virus, Nigeria had been designated the poverty capital of the world, with large segment of the population living below the poverty line.
“It is feared that if the present situation persists, the nation may suffer its worse economic recession, if not depression, which only a bold and well crafted economic restructuring plan by government would mitigate.
“The time for government to act is now” he said.
While cautioning journalists and media workers on professionalism, he called for enhanced salaries, allowances, pensions and general condition of service for media professionals.
“While self regulatory mechanism is another alternative means of enforcing professionalism, the Nigeria Union of Journalists as the umbrella professional platform of media practice in the country encourages its members on the importance of self respect, discipline and to always stand by the truth and justice.
“In recognition of the urgent need to enhance the working condition of journalists in the country; and considering that there can be no freedom of expression or freedom of the press where journalists work under precarious conditions and are exposed to danger, poverty or fear; the NUJ calls for concerted efforts by all stakeholders to enhance salaries, allowances, pensions and general condition of service for media professionals.
“Specifically, we call on the Federal and State Governments to take note of the fact that Journalists like in conflict situations are daily exposed to grave danger as a result of their professional calling” he stated.
