For true democracy to thrive in Nigeria journalists must be allowed to exercise their fundamental rights to freedom of press, speech and expression while performing their statutory duty of gathering and disseminating factual information.
The chairman of this year’s Press Week and Award dinner organized by the Osun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the Asiwaju of Ijesaland , chief Yinka Fasuyi dropped the hint while addressing members of the fourth realm of the estate in Osogbo.
“We have seen in time past how journalists were marked, trailed and afflicted while some are detained for legitimately discharging their professional duties. Some have been pressured to mislead the public while divulging information under death threats.
Unfortunately, physical threats are only the most visible dangers, however. Journalists and journalism itself are facing other threats such as censorship, political and economic pressure, intimidation, job insecurity and attacks on the protection of journalists’ sources. All of these are anti-democratic and cannot enhance a balanced and thoroughly informed society. My admonition is that NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS, NUJ, has the prerogative to protect the interests and lives of journalists through the legal framework available in the country”.
Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi who emphasized the important role of journalism in entrenching democratic values in the society noted that hoarding information from journalists would only spell doom for the nation, stressing that the so much desired transformation in all sector’s of the economy can only be achieved through genuine information.
He identified lack of information, disinformation and a contempt for the truth as the bane of healthy journalism.
“Many people in hundreds of thousands are being stuffed with garbage everywhere and this is disastrous for our collective survival”.
Asiwaju Fasuy tasked the men of the pen profession to religiously adhere to the ethical standards guiding the noble profession to avoid the sword of Damocles and gavel hammer of the law quoting Hillary Clinton, former American president.
” Whether it is law or journalism, finance or medicine, academia or running business communications to do their jobs, we count in the space of trust that confidentiality provides. When someone breaches that trust, we are all worse off for it”.
Earlier, the state chairman of the NUJ, comrade Wasiu Ajadosu had assured of members’ commitment to the sustenance of peace and unity of the state and the nation in general by upholding best practices.in character and service delivery.
The Royal Father of the day, the Owaloko of Iloko Ijesa, oba Benjamin Ogungbangbe prayed for the safety of Journalists whom he described as the bridge between the government and the governed, urging them to carry out their duties as the watchdog of the society in line with the laid down principles of journalism.
A highlight of the occasion was the conferment of various meritorious awards on eminent individuals for their outstanding performance in the society, among whom were Senator Ajibola Basir and Chief Sanya Omirin who bagged Philanthropist and Grassroots Politician of the year awards respectively.
Also honoured at the event, were the state commissioner of police, Olokode and some journalists in the state who distinguished themselves in the discharge of their duties.
The event was graced by traditional rulers including the Alatorin of Atorin, Oba Omololu Afilaka, Adagbasewa the first and captains of industries as well as politicians including Mr Taofik Badamosi representing Osogbo state constituency and Alhaji Jide Bakare Awuyewuye.
Isaac Haastrup
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