Government at all levels including stakeholders in the media industry have been called upon to make deliberate and sustained efforts to promote a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their work freely.
Chairman, Oshimili south local government Council, Hon. Kelvin Ezenyili, made the call while speaking at Indigenous Correspondents’ Chapel (ICC) Mirror Platform”, at the weekend.
He also reminded stakeholders that attacks on journalists have made young people scare of joining the profession.
Represented by the Secretary to the Local Government, Hon Brendan Iyeh, the Chairman, expressed concern over the way journalists are increasingly subjected to all forms of threats, including kidnapping, torture, physical attacks and other forms of harassments.
Hon. Iyeh, who was accompanied by the Head of Department (HoD), Legal, Barr (Mrs) Nwulu Ndidi, lamented the ugly manner journalists are treated.
His words: “True Journalism is all about accuracy, telling it the way it is and until the Government institutions and members of the Public place the office of Journalism in a high pedestal we might not get the essence of true reportage.
“Today most of our youths are scared of venturing into Journalism because of the cruel and unfair manner the fundamental rights of these journalists are trampled on.
“Policies must be put in place to secure the business of true Journalism and attract more persons to the Career”.
He disclosed that the Oshimili South Local Government Council has always operated an open door Policy.
He said it has a synergy with journalists in the State Capital in ensuring the capturing and reporting of accurate and up to date activities of the Strides and achievements of its administration.
He further reassured the body of Council’s unrelenting support to the Chapel and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council in general in realizing their goals and aspiration.
