NUJ tells Obiano to partner media in fight against COVID-19

Maduako Igbokwe l Saturday, May 02, 2020

ONITSHA, Nigeria – Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ),Anambra state chapter has advised the state governor Chief Willie Obiano to partner the media in the fight against spread of COVID-19 in the state.

The advice was contained in a statement jointly signed by the NUJ state chairman, Mr Emmanuel Ifesinachi and the secretary Mr Emma Udeagha during the occasion to mark the 2020 World Press Freedom Day, (WPFD) with the theme “Journalism Without Fear or Favour”

The union also accused the state government officials of not being willing to talk to press on the critical issues in the state and called for stopage of such attitude.

“We urge the Anambra State Government to note the need to partner journalists and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the State, the norm in other states, for better coordination and management of information.

“We recall that this Council, as institutional partners, had ‘tutored’ the Governor’s ‘media team’ on how to work with journalists, to get it right, but this was like advising grasshoppers to be cockroaches.

It is not only that ‘Press release’ has become a trademark, the problem is that officials of this Government had often been unwilling to talk with journalists, even when there is need for clarification from government officials. We again use this opportunity to urge them to resist the ‘I know What is Good for the State Syndrome’ and do the needful in the interest of the public and that of the Governor who takes responsibility for their leaking ‘head and bottom’’ it stated.

According to the statement, the Council commended the State Government for the ongoing efforts to check the Coronavirus pandemic in the state but regrettably observed that some critical stakeholders such as the National Orientation Agency, NOA, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, statutorily charged with public education, were excluded from the State COVID-19 taskforce.

The council also urged the governor not to make decisions that would create confusion,noting that Media management was not obsessed with needless propaganda and desire to fight avoidable wars to the neglect of the compulsions and implications of the office.

The council also commended journalists in the State for their contributions to the fight against Covid-19 pandemic,, urging the State Government and philanthropic groups as well as individuals to provide the media with protective kits and working tools to enhance their performance and promote effective reportage.

The council also reassured that it would defend its member who are unjustly molested in the performance of their duty in the state, noting that it would at the same not confer immunity on those who abuse the ethics of the profession or create unnecessary tension in the polity.

“Undoubtedly, the media has justified its role by providing the public with information they need to take responsibility for their lives particularly during this pandemic.

Media’s critical role again reinforce the need for freedom of expression and respect of fundamental rights of journalists to do their work independently and in safety as a precondition for attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)” the statement added.