Kaduna – The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has urged the incoming Muhammadu Buhari administration to ensure adequate protection of journalists and other media workers in the discharge of their duties.
The National President of the union, Malam Mohammed Garba, made the call in Kaduna on Monday as part of the activities marking the World Press Freedom Day 2015.
According to him, good governance can not be achieved when the press do not have unfeterred access to the process of governance.
Garba said it was important for government to allow the journalists to carry out their watchdog role in the society “if any positive impact is to be made in the fight against corruption”.
The theme for this year’s World Press Freedom Day is: “Let Journalism Thrive! Towards Better Reporting Gender Equality and Media Safety in Digital Age.’’
Garba said that this year’s theme examines issues such as free and independent journalism, and quality reporting in the context of digital age.
“This subject covers how media concentration impact on media’s role in self-regulation issues, the challenges to investigative journalism, hate speech and media information literacy,” he said.
The NUJ president charged journalists to be responsible in their professional conduct, taking into cognisance their social responsibility as watchdog role in the society.
He also tasked journalists to always remind leaders about the importance of good governance.
In his remarks, Governor Muktar Yero of Kaduna State said Journalists should be inspired to bring about the respect that the profession deserved.
Yero was represented by the Commissioner for Information in the state, Mr Ben Bako.