By Temitope Ojo
Stakeho lders in the pen profession have called on everyone in the society to respect and protect journalists across the country.
The call was made at the launch of the Nigerian Journalists’ Safety Project, Lagos, held recently at the International Press Centre (IPC), Ogba, Lagos.
Speaking at the event, the Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Gbemiga Ogunleye, who chaired the occasion, stressed that due to crucial functions performed by journalists in the society, they deserve the protection of everyone.
Journalism, according to him, ranks as the most important profession in the world.
“The doctor, the teacher and even the lawyer need information not only about their professions but also about their lives to make informed decisions. The journalist provides that information.
“Doctors cannot report their going on strike; neither can they inform the world when they have successfully separated conjoined twins. Without information provided by the journalist, the teacher would be in the dark as to when his often-delayed salaries would be paid. Learned as the lawyers claim to be, nobody would know the outcome of their advocacy in court, without judicial reporters reporting it.
“So, if journalists perform these crucial functions in the society, the least they deserve is the protection of all of us,” he said.
He noted that if journalists are intimidated, attacked or killed, not only their media, family or loved ones suffers, but the nation also suffer collateral damage.
Ogunleye further stated that perhaps no other individual, living or dead, had emphasised the importance of the media and the great role journalists play in any society, except the third President of the United States of America, Thomas Jefferson, who stated that the role of the press in checking the excesses of government officials is so important that he would prefer “to have newspapers without government to government without newspapers”.
Many civilised governments, he observed, have recognised Freedom of Expression as a fundamental human right and one of the distinguishing features of a democratic society.
“Therefore, journalists, who champion this right, who have been enjoined by Section 22 of the amended 1999 Constitution to monitor governance and hold government accountable, deserve to be protected,” he added.
Ogunleye submitted that concern for the safety of journalists should go beyond the role of government and security agencies, as the employers of journalists also have roles to play.
Quoting the late newspaper publisher, MKO Abiola, the Provost said: “If you do not pay your journalists well, others will, and they will work for them”, adding that when journalists are not paid their salaries as and when due, their lives and those of their dependants are at risk.
“Employers of journalists should also ensure that their journalists are sent on hostile environment training before they are deployed to conflict zones. And when they are sent there, they should be insured; provided with bullet-proof vests and given adequate funds,” he said.
Mrs. Victoria Ibanga, General Secretary of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), also reiterated the urgent need to ensure a safe environment for journalists in Nigeria, stressing that journalists all over Nigeria are vulnerable.
She assured that the NGE would partner with stakeholders in the country to bring an end to incessant cases of attacks and killings of journalists.
“We are vulnerable in the sense that our profession demands that we interface between the government and the people on a daily basis. In essence, we are in danger, and if you like, we are endangered species. We are as vulnerable as the soldiers at the war front. The only difference is that they have the support of various governments,” she said.
Peter Nkanga, West Africa Representative, Committee to Protect Journalists, in his paper stated that because of the nature of the profession, which is about asking questions, exploring a topic of public interest that might reveal secrets or uncover an issue shrouded in silence, in moving forward, “professional journalists should promote social justice and good governance, data journalism, and digital security training clinic must be organised for them”.
Director of IPC, Lanre Arogundade, noted that the initiative was supported by the Open Society Foundation with the overall goal of facilitating a free and safe environment for journalists and other media professionals in the country.
The event was attended by mass communication scholars, media experts, editors and reporters from print, broadcast and online media as well as journalism students and activists.