By: Felix Ikpotor
The Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Rivers State Council has called for improved welfare packages for journalists practicing in the country.
Chairman of the chapel, Amaechi Okonkwo stated this in Port Harcourt during the opening ceremony of the ongoing 2021 Correspondents’ Week Celebration.
He lamented that journalists in Nigeria have become an endangered species occasioned by harsh working environment, poor remuneration, intimidation and harassment from security agencies and killings.
He called on the government at all levels and media owners to make policies that will guarantee and protect the job of journalist.
Speaking on the theme of the week: “Survival of Journalists in Security and Economic Uncertainties in Nigeria; Focus on Strategic Reporting of Maritime Sector,” Okonkwo lamented that journalist have been the one championing the cause of others for better treatment, yet they remain the most poorly treated workforce in the country.
“During the COVID-19 lockdown, journalists and various media organisations were exposed to the pandemic like other frontline workers such as the medical and security personnel, but when the list of frontline workers were compiled for special allowances and palliatives, they were not considered”.
“Journalist have the most irregular and poor remuneration and yet they champion the demand of other workers anytime their rights and entitlements were denied,” he said.
He appealed that ” government at all levels and media owners and practitioners should synergise to ensure that members of the fourth estate of the realm indeed come to their real estate in the realm”
“NASS should as a matter of urgency, consider legislation that would make journalists not come to their real estate in the realm but are given conducive atmosphere to professionally discharge their duties effectively in the country”.
Okonkwo further appealed for the elimination of quacks in the profession.
Declaring the week open, Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Paulinus Nsirim noted that intimidation, violence and harassment by security agencies have hampered the work of journalists.
Represented by a former managing director of Tide Newspaper, Mr. Celestine Ogolo, he emphasized that it was important that the media is provided with a conducive environment to ensure that their lives and families are not at risk.
He added: “It’s even important that their welfare is given top priority. It’s also worrisome that issues concerning journalists are not put in the front burner”.
He posited that, “if the journalists are empowered to hold government accountable, it will ensure good governance”.
The state information boss asserted that the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has ensured that journalists have an unfettered access to information, stressing that his infrastructural development has been noticed by the media and has earned him back to back awards from the media.
In his presentation on “Leveraging Journalism for Economic Sustainability,” Dr. Jossy Nkwocha, a renowned public relations practitioner urged journalists to use their contacts to empower themselves as the media is a gateway to greater opportunities.
