PRESIDENT of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo, has lamented that democratic processes in Nigeria were in danger of being undermined by unscrupulous politicians, as well as the prevalence of false, hateful and divisive information that create fear, ignorance and uncertainty within the public at large.
According to a statement signed by the National Secretary of NUJ, Shuaibu Usman Leman, to commemorate WPFD, titled, ‘That Freedom Of Expression May Thrive,’ speaking at the NUJ National Secretariat Abuja while observing the WPFD 2023, Isiguzo noted that while the constitutional right of freedom of speech and association remains inviolable, political actors should tone down their utterances in whatever form by making comments that are issues-based and within the limits of the rules of the game.
Governance, he argued, is about people and thus the guiding principle should be self- preservation, as politics is for the living and not for the dead.
“He charged journalists, as the watchdog of society and Fourth Estate of the Realm to strive more to stem the trend, encourage freedom of speech, as guaranteed by the constitution and uphold the fundamental objectives contained in Chapter II of the constitution.
He charged journalists to always strive to uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people, even as he lamented that the global information crisis in which journalism is being overwhelmed by the narrow self-interests of political and corporate centres of power is being felt strongly in Nigeria, where hate-speech, fake news and abusive exploitation of information technology are endangering pluralism and democracy.
He stated that this crisis of propaganda requires a practical and comprehensive response that puts ethics, self-regulation and good governance at the heart of journalism in the Country.
While condemning all forms of violence against journalists in the country and attempts to bribe and corrupt the process of journalism and to manipulate the media for propaganda, the NUJ president added: “We once again call on all journalists, in spite of these threats, to redouble their efforts and live up to the values and standards of the profession.
“We also appeal to all journalists and media owners to build professional solidarity and to work together to promote ethics and good governance to confront the looming dangers.”
