The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has called for a review of the National Broadcasting Code and all other media statutes. This, the NGE believed, would bring them in tune with democracy and the promotion of free speech.
This was contained in a statement issued by the NGE on the occasion of the 2021 World Press Freedom Day released, on Monday.
The theme for this year’s World Press Freedom Day is, ‘Information as a Public Good’, which highlights the necessity of governments, state actors and the private sector to recognise the value of information as a critical element in leadership and service delivery.
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The Guild lamented that “journalists across the world continue to face grave challenges and dangers in the discharge of their duties. “Some have paid the supreme price while others have been harassed and jailed for doing their lawful duty.
“This is because most governments still perceive journalists as intruders into the public space.”
Concerning Nigeria, the statement said that “In 2020, alone, no fewer than 60 journalists in Nigeria faced life and career-threatening challenges in the form of intimidation, arrest and detention.
“Three journalists were killed within the same period, one by security forces during a protest in Abuja and two by unknown gunmen in Adamawa and Nasarawa states. “Aside attacks on journalists, their offices were not spared. Several media outlets were attacked and torched by irate mob during the #ENDSARS protests, with four media outlets fined for their coverage of the protests while others were fined for airing dissenting opinions.”
The Guild condemned, in strong terms, these “attempts at muzzling the media”.
The Guild also urged governments at all levels in Nigeria to value information as a public good and treat the conveyors of information as partners, instead of seeing them as enemies.
“The media is a partner and a critical stakeholder in the national project. The media played a major role in the struggle for Independence and enthronement of democracy.
“Therefore, the media cannot suddenly transform to agents of destruction of the institutions it helped to build,” it said.
