The Senator representing Oyo South senatorial district, Dr. Muhammed Kola Balogun, has urged governments at all levels, media owners and all stakeholders in the media industry to prioritise the welfare of journalists.
He noted that that was necessary in order ensure that journalists did not cut corners and compromise the standards of the profession
The lawmaker, while delivering his paper as Guest Speaker at the World Press Freedom Day organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, B Zone on Thursday, in Ibadan, said journalists would cut corners and compromise the standard of objectivity if their welfare was not prioritised.
At the event held at NUJ secretariat were the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Lekan Balogun, who was represented by Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadan land, High Chief Amidu Ajibade; President-General elect of Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Barrister Adeniyi Adewole, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) leaders of NUJ in the zone and other stakeholders in the industry.
Balogun, while delivering his paper tilted, “Freedom of expression: A driver for all other human rights”, insisted that attractive remuneration and welfare package was the way out to address the major challenges facing journalists in the country.
He also advised that personal security of the practitioners should be guaranteed, stating that if media practitioner’s welfare was not a priority, journalists would cut corners and compromise the standard of objectivity.
He maintained that freedom of expression and freedom of the media were siamese twins which could not be separated easily.
According to him, “Attractive remuneration and welfare package is the way out. Media educational institutions must be well funded and personal security of the practitioners be guaranteed.
“If media practitioner’s welfare is not a priority, journalist will cut corners and compromise the standard of objectivity.
“Freedom of expression and freedom of the media are siamese twins. Media are only free when there is a deliberate attempt to ensure that freedom of expression is guaranteed in human societies.
“Media is a platform for wide-ranging debates on war and peace as well as freedom from tyranny. Freedom of expression and media are what we need to strengthen our democracies and tear down the walls of tyranny and bad governance across the globe.
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“A democratic media is needed because it gives us hope and chronicles the movements and organisations that are making history. It gives voice to the voiceless and encourage people to get involved in their struggles to make a difference. Social change will not come from the minds of the Commander-in-Chief, the generals or Mr. President, infact, change is vulnerable to blockage by the powerful.
“Change begins with active common citizens, working in their communities. The media should not have to agree with persons or groups, government or the most powerful, it is the media responsibility to include all voices in the discourse and then allow the people to decide. Our democracy is going through a wobbling evolution, if we continue to work at it, we will get to the promised land no matter how long it takes.
“But this is not achievable without a vibrant, highly professional and ethical media platforms devoid of sectoral corruption.”
