Bring killers of journalists to book – Agu

In his keynote address, the pioneer editor of Champion Newspaper and former Chief Press Secretary to former Head of Interim National
Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, Mr Emma Agu, decried incessant invasion of media houses by security agents, stating that it dents the image of any government involved in such practice.

Agu expressed dismay at the failure of successive governments to make killers of journalists feel the weight of the law. ‘‘How come killers of journalists have not been found? Sometimes we think it is government.
It may be true, but government must convince us that they are not
behind the killings.’’

Agu identified a fiercely independent judiciary as the greatest safeguard against impunity, calling on the journalists to free the judiciary from the shackles of the executive.

Assistant National Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mr. Gbemiga Bamidele, in his contribution, said safety should also include the welfare of journalists. “When people are not paid for 22 months, I don’t know just how safe that person could possibly be. Safety must include good condition of service.
“When people compare us with foreign journalists, it’s as if they are better than us, but they are not; management, welfare and good condition of service make the difference,’’ he said.

The representative of the Director-General of UNESCO at the event, Mr. Olusola Macaulay, recalled that seven journalists have been killed between 2006 and 2016, and noted that absolutely nothing has been done to either arrest or punishes the killers.
“Journalists don’t deserve inhuman treatment,” he said.

Head of Department, General Studies of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Dr Dele Omojuyigbe, in an interview with The
Daily Times, said reports have it that the practice of Journalism in Nigeria is most liberal. However, he condemned the harassment and assassination of journalists.

‘‘To a large extent, Nigerian journalists are safe. It is said that journalism
practice in Nigeria is most liberal. But it is uncalled for and condemnable to kill journalists doing their legitimate duties.

“Professionally, I think journalists need to check themselves.’’ Asked whether the NUJ is doing enough to protect journalists, Omojuyigbe said NUJ is doing its best to protect its own. He, however, harped on
the need for the union to be depoliticised.

Ladesope Ladelokun