The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) says it’s working assiduously to ensure freedom and justice for detained journalists.
Mr Adeleye Ajayi, Chairman, Lagos State NUJ, made the pledge on the sidelines of the seventh Safety and Security Watch Symposium on Wednesday in Lagos.
The symposium was held in commemoration of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.
The day initiated by the United Nations General Assembly is celebrated annually on Nov. 2 to draw attention to crimes against media persons and how criminals often get away with such offences.
The theme for this year’s celebration is: “Protecting Media to Protect Democracy.”
Ajayi decried the government’s inability to unravel or convict perpetrators of past killings of journalists, stressing that it was time for the government to take drastic measures to end impunity against journalists.
He noted that three journalists are currently in jail in Lagos, adding that the union had intensified efforts through engagement with relevant stakeholders to ensure their quick release.
Ajayi stressed that the union would no longer tolerate any form of violence against its members.
He added that continuous awareness against vices, killings and attacks against journalists had been intensified.
The NUJ leader noted that journalists are the conscience of the society, monitor government’s actions and were critical to the sustenance of democracy.
Besides, panelists at the symposium called for training and retraining of journalists to grow their capacity and equip them with knowledge of physical safety measures as well as trauma management.
They also called for adequate renumeration for all categories of journalists and prompt payment of salaries by media owners to safeguard practitioners from engaging in unwholesome activities for survival.
The panelists called on the public and all tiers of government to respect the media as people who were doing hazardous job to perform their constitutional responsibility.
The event was also used to unveil, Media Centre For Promotion Of Safety Awareness, whose mission is to meet industry and society needs in issues of occupational health, safety and security. (NAN)