As World Journalist Day is being marked globally, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) FCT chapter has sued for improved ethical values among professionals and enhanced take home packages at work places.
Chairman of SWAN in Abuja, Comrade Ndubueze Chidoka, in press statement on Friday observed that lack of commiserate pay for sporting media practitioners has led to desperation among professionals who struggle to survive.
He said a situation where some Journalists see sports as a space to hang on and depend on freebies as means of living must be discouraged.
Comrade Chidoka who is a broadcast guru then urged SWAN members particularly in FCT to seek to diversify instead of being over-dependent.
“No one should be deterred in doing what’s right in the day-to-day professional duties. We must not subject ourselves as tools in the hands of anyone when we do our job, rather lets strive to be distinctly responsible and responsive,” he said.
World Sports Journalist Day is observed to celebrate the foundation of AIPS and professionals use sports as a medium for world peace. It aims to acknowledge and encourage sports journalists to do better work.
It also marks the anniversary of the International Sports Press Association(AIPS), established in 1924. Its headquarters is based in Switzerland.
In 1994, AIPS introduced World Sports Journalists Day in order to celebrate the anniversary of its establishment.
Sports journalism started in the early 1800s as an important part of the elite class and transitioned to the news business with a dedicated sports column.
