By Juliana Katung
As the Nigerian Journalists have been advised to avoid sentiments and emotions in the practice of the profession as they joined their counterparts around the world to mark Press Freedom Day.
The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Governor of Kaduna state, Mr Samuel Aruwan made the call on Thursday at a forum organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Kaduna State council.
“We must collaborate to ensure journalism is practiced and separated from sentiment and emotions,
“We must do social reengineering that will birth a path of ethical and responsible journalism anchored around the principles of balance, objectivity, fairness and impartiality” he said.
He reiterated the resolve of the Kaduna state government to ensure press freedom, adding that the press freedom and expression is a human right and strong policies and actions against social discrimination.
According to him, the state government would never prevent journalists from discharging their constitutional role “but the state government will never compromise the security of its over 10 million populace” he said.
On his part, former Media Aide to Governor Yero, Ahmed Maiyaki stressed the need for the media to continue to play it’s role as watchdog of the society.
Maiyaki said time has come for the media to cantinue to play it’s roles of keeping power in Check.
He noted with serious concern the continuous harassment and gang up against journalists by various government and security agancies in the country.
Maiyaki noted that there is a growing sense that Nigeria is losing its democratic temperament based on the declining press freedom rating.
According to him, with the theme of this year’s celebration “it become very important for judiciary and media to work together to keep Power in Check because power corrupts ”
He urged the NUJ to make presentation to judiciary to seek for more protection and collaboration.
The chairman, Kaduna state NUJ Comrade Adamu Yusuf said the world press freedom day was proclaimed by United Nations General Assembly in 1993.
He called on the federal government to as a matter of urgency, implement the special media salary scale before the end of the year,
“As being the fourth Estate of the Realm Nigeria media ought to be among the best paid in the country considering the roles and hazards involved in discharging our professional responsibilities”, he said.
According to him, this year’s celebration with the Theme “Keeping Power in Check: Media Justice and the Role of Law”, seeks to explore interaction between the judiciary and the media and its complementary roles in fostering transperency, accountability and governance.
https://www.africaprimenews.com/2018/05/03/press-release/world-press-freedom-day-media-practitioners-urge-to-ensure-transparency-rule-of-law/
