NUJ President Harps On Media’s Role In Democracy

National President of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chief Chris Isiguzo, has said election is a necessity in promoting democratic process, and the role of the journalist in achieving that goal cannot be over emphasised.
Isiguzo said this at a one-day Training for Journalists in the South-South, organised in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and themed, ‘Conflict Sensitive Reporting And 2023 General Election’, in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
He noted that within the system, especially against the background of professional responsibility, that the duty of the journalist stands tall.
According to him, the NUJ believe that for the masses of Nigeria to be actively involved in the democratic process, the Media itself must be strengthend.
When this is done, he said, some of the mechanisms in which community empowerment can be achieved will be fixed.
He listed access to information and the proactive measure taken by the INEC as part of the needed tools for Journalists to coast in their task.
“Since the functions of government are clear, in performing these functions, government officials are expected to be honest, responsible, transparent, accountable, efficient in administration and service delivery,” he said.
In the event of subversion of the listed functions on the side of the government and its officials, he said, the onus then depends on the journalists to make this known.
He stated that it in this context that the Media remains central in the process of ensuring credible elections in the country.
Isiguzo expressed regrets that concerned authorities are yet to provide measures that can aid in protecting journalists as they carry out their legitimate watchdog responsibilities to the society, especially during elections, which often witness attacks on journalists.
“Without doubt, the safety of Journalists is absolutely essential to civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of all citizens as well as the right to development”, he said.
Meanwhile, the Chairman, NUJ, Rivers State Council, Mr. Stanley Job Stanley, thanked INEC for their thoughtful plans in putting the event together and reassured them of a robust relationship that will aid in achieving the best electoral result in 2023.

By: King Onunwor