WPFD: No democracy can grow without independent media ― NUJ

The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has restated that no democracy will grow and flourish without a vibrant and independent media.

President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo who said this in a press statement to mark the World Press Freedom Day for 2020, noted that the media remains a catalyst for good governance and rule of law.

Isiguzo also commended journalists in Nigeria for their courage and professionalism while urging them that they should carry out their duties without fear or favour.

The NUJ president said: “Every year, 3 May is a date which celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom; to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.

“This year, the NUJ joins the rest of the World in observing the day with the theme, ‘Journalism without Fear or Favour’, to focus on taking action to secure independent journalism which is one of the fundamental principles of the Windhoek Declaration.

“We salute Nigerian journalists for their courage and professionalism and call on them to sustain and improve on their professional calling.

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“It is worth reiterating that no democracy can grow and flourish without a vibrant independent media that will be a catalyst for good governance and rule of law. It is in this regard that today, we celebrate Nigerian Journalists for promoting independent journalism practice despite myriads of challenges.

“We continue to note with disdain the issue of safety and security of Journalists in the country which have not significantly improved but rather continued to impact negatively on good journalism. It is regrettable that politicians and political office holders and agents of the state are increasingly initiating actions against Journalists which include physical assault and detention all with the sole aim of inducing fear, thus restricting quality independent practice.

“We enjoin journalists on this auspicious occasion of the 2020 World Press Freedom Day, to work assiduously towards promoting ethical journalism without fear and without any favour.”