A
abujagirl
Guest
The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned a purported attempt at the on-going National Conference to undermine the work of journalists covering the conference.
President of the union, Mr Mohammed Garba, who expressed dismay over the action of some delegates, gave the union's position in an interview with newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.
He said that the media would maintain its neutrality in the reportage of proceedings at the conference, adding that it would resist any form of intimidation from any group or individual.
Garba described the attempt as a "blatant attack on the freedom of the press" and called on stakeholders to resist such acts to avoid a repetition.
"The NUJ is unhappy over the reported attack on some journalists by some delegates participating in the conference; it is unfortunate because this is an attempt to undermine the press freedom we all fought, very hard, for. The responsibility of the media in the conference is to report all proceedings for Nigerians to see; I sincerely believe that journalists should be allowed to discharge their responsibilities accordingly.
"We condemn such acts and I want to state here that the media will not be intimidated or cowed by any group or individual.’’
Garba said that the union was, however, satisfied with the steps already taken by the leadership of the conference and other delegates to address the matter.
He urged journalists covering the conference to be guided by professional ethics and the interest of all Nigerians in the discharge of their duties throughout the duration of the conference.
On proceedings at the conference, the NUJ president said that contentious issues at the conference should be decided through a consensus.
He urged participants at the conference to be time conscious in their consideration of the appropriate procedure for resolving contentious issues.
Garba said that it would not be proper for the conference to be extended beyond the three months duration, hence the need for delegates to be prudent in the management of time. He advised delegates to put aside tribal and ethnic sentiments in their deliberations and also not allow anti-progressive elements to undermine the conference.
Garba expressed optimism that the outcome of the conference would help re-position Nigeria to the path of greatness and prosperity.
President of the union, Mr Mohammed Garba, who expressed dismay over the action of some delegates, gave the union's position in an interview with newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.
He said that the media would maintain its neutrality in the reportage of proceedings at the conference, adding that it would resist any form of intimidation from any group or individual.
Garba described the attempt as a "blatant attack on the freedom of the press" and called on stakeholders to resist such acts to avoid a repetition.
"The NUJ is unhappy over the reported attack on some journalists by some delegates participating in the conference; it is unfortunate because this is an attempt to undermine the press freedom we all fought, very hard, for. The responsibility of the media in the conference is to report all proceedings for Nigerians to see; I sincerely believe that journalists should be allowed to discharge their responsibilities accordingly.
"We condemn such acts and I want to state here that the media will not be intimidated or cowed by any group or individual.’’
Garba said that the union was, however, satisfied with the steps already taken by the leadership of the conference and other delegates to address the matter.
He urged journalists covering the conference to be guided by professional ethics and the interest of all Nigerians in the discharge of their duties throughout the duration of the conference.
On proceedings at the conference, the NUJ president said that contentious issues at the conference should be decided through a consensus.
He urged participants at the conference to be time conscious in their consideration of the appropriate procedure for resolving contentious issues.
Garba said that it would not be proper for the conference to be extended beyond the three months duration, hence the need for delegates to be prudent in the management of time. He advised delegates to put aside tribal and ethnic sentiments in their deliberations and also not allow anti-progressive elements to undermine the conference.
Garba expressed optimism that the outcome of the conference would help re-position Nigeria to the path of greatness and prosperity.