…Solicits support for May 4th awards
BY SEUN JOSEPH
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has decried the constant harassment of its members even as it called on corporate organizations to support its efforts towards the successful hosting of this year’s Press Freedom Day and Award, slated for May 4th.
Mr. Chris Isiguzo, NUJ President, who made the disclosure in a press conference in Abuja, said this year’s edition and that of last year would be merged because of COVID-19 Pandemic which disrupted the celebration in 2020.
While underscoring the important principles of press freedom and media independence, he added that the event will pay special tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
He further stated that many journalists had faced harassment, threats, physical injuries, imprisonment and even deaths in the course of discharging their legitimate duties, adding that the event would honour media owners, corporations, political and public office holders, who have actively supported press freedom in Nigeria.
According to him, no democracy could grow and flourish without a vibrant independent media that would be a catalyst for good governance and rule of law.
He informed that the award was in seven categories, which include torch bearers awards, press freedom platform awards, corporate partners of media, corporate friend of the media, defender of press, life time achievement and distinguished friends of the press awards, respectively.
“The press freedom is an indispensable pillar in the architecture of any democracy. No democracy can thrive without citizen’s adequate access to transparent and reliable information.
“Press freedom is the cornerstone for building fair and impartial institutions. It is a catalyst in the mobilisation of the citizenry to hold their leaders accountable as well as promotes speaking truth to power.
“It is the courage and sacrifice of these journalists that we are celebrating by organising the third and fourth editions of the 2020/2021 NUJ Press Freedom Awards,” he said.
Isiguzo said that all nominations should be sent to pressfreedomawards.nuj.org, with supporting documents and hard copies should be sent directly to the National Secretary of the NUJ.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of Enentis Communications Limited, Mr Peter Ademu-Eteh, expressed delight for partnering with NUJ in delivering this programme, adding that the role of the media in promoting democracy cannot be overemphasised.
“It is our belief that this little effort we are making will contribute to the growth of democracy, to help in the participation of the citizenry and also help with national development.” he said.