… Says it infringes on the Rights of citizens
Clement Nnachi, Abakaliki
The National President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Christopher Isiguzo, has, again, restated the Union’s rejection of the Social Media Bill and the Hate Speech Bill currently before the National Assembly, insisting the bills, if passed, would infringe on the fundamental rights of the citizens.
Comrade Isiguzo, represented by the South- East Zonal Secretary of the Union, Mr. Kenneth Ofoma, made the condemnation at the NUJ Press Center Abakaliki, on Thursday, on the occasion of activities marking the grand finale of the 2019 Press Week of the State Chapter of the Union .
He noted that the nation had various laws that deals on the infringement of rights including libel laws and the Cyber Crime Act.
“NUJ is not in support of the Social Media Bill and the Hate Speech Bill.
“Any law that infringes on free citizens of Nigeria must be rejected, “he reiterated.
The Press Week which had as its theme ‘Towards Developmental and Responsible Journalism’ while the topic for discussion was ‘Journalism in the Nigeria Situation’.
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Earlier in his speech, Governor David Umahi, represented by the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Barr. Uchena Orji, urged media practitioners to embrace transparency and balanced reportage.
Governor Umahi commended members of the NUJ for their role in strengthening the sustenance of democracy in the country.
According to the governor, “NUJ must think on virile Nigeria, issues that promote the Unity and corporate coexistence of the country.”
Presenting a lecture titled ‘Journalism in the Nigeria Situation’ the state’s Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Father Abraham Nwali, urged media practitioners to eliminate all forms of tribalism and ethnicity in their reportage.
Fr. Nwali emphasised the need for journalists to uphold objective reporting and work for the Unity. Peace and development of the country.
Highlights of the event was the conferment of Awards to deserving personalities including the State Commissioner of Police CP Awotinde Awoshola who bagged the Intelligence Gathering and Proactive Award.
Other awardees included the Vice Chancellor of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Prof. Chinedum Nwajuba, who bagged award of Excellence in Resource Management, among others.
The event had in attendance members of the Ebonyi State Executive Council. members of the State House of Assembly, media practitioners, and the academia among others.
