A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Journalists Global Foundation (JGF) has made case for improved remuneration and welfare package for media practitioners in the country.
The Foundation in a press statement by the President, Chioma Amajor, and the Secretary, Chizoba Ogbeche, Wednesday in Abuja, also condemned recent attacks on media practitioners and media organisations in the wake of the #EndSARS protests across the country.
“Attacks on media practitioners and their organisations, to say the least is quite alarming and worrisome. Recent events have raised further concerns and worries about the safety of journalists.
“Journalists Global Foundation, therefore, condemns in totality these attacks by unidentified persons and demand immediate investigation into circumstances leading to the burning down and destruction of media offices and all who are found to have contributed, directed or indirectly, to the mayhem be brought to book to serve as deterrent.
“We believe that any form of attack on journalists, who risk their lives daily while covering events concerning the country and its citizens in fulfilment of their constitutionally mandated duties, is unacceptable and should not be tolerated.
“We, therefore, call on government to show support and concern towards the protection of journalists, both in government and private employ, by making it a priority.
“We also advise media owners to make the welfare and safety of journalists in their employ top priority as the recent wave of attacks on media personnel not only highlighted some of the challenges media practitioners face in the cause of performing their duties and how endangered they are but also the absence of safety netting for most practitioners.
“We plead that besides wages of journalists being commensurate to their schedule of duty, deliberate efforts should be made in terms of providing insurance packages, health and life in particular, for practitioners so as to motivate them to be more committed to duty knowing that their labour and sacrifices in the course of their jobs are appreciated and they would be provided for in event of anything untoward.” the statement read in part.
The Foundation also expressed concerns over the hijacking of what was a peaceful demonstration by #EndSARS protesters leading to destruction of lives and looting public and private property across the country.
“As an NGO, we appreciate passion and sentiment behind the #EndSARS protest, however, given reports of wide infiltration of the protests by suspected hoodlums, we appeal to the protesters to sheath their swords and embrace dialogue as proposed by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari, in his address to the nation.
“We strongly believe that the youths have clearly and loudly made their points known. They have not only drawn the attention of government to their genuine concerns on the negative effects of police high-handedness as outlined in their five-point demand but have also succeeded in making the Police High Command and government at all levels to appreciate the need to reappraise the security architecture of the country and commit to the reform of the Nigeria Police Force.
“We, however, urge the youths to note that while they continue to agitate for a better Nigeria they must make conscious efforts to stay alive by making survival their watchword in order to enjoy the society they crave.
“We condemn in strong terms the alleged use of force by the military on peaceful protesters especially the Lekki Toll Gate Plaza, Lagos, incident where the military reportedly opened fire on peaceful #EndSARS protesters who were reciting the national anthem while waving the nation’s flag.”
