As the world marks World Press Freedom Day, 2019, the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, has called for more protection for journalists before, during and after elections.
The Guild in a statement signed by its President and Secretary, Funke Egbemode and Victoria Ibanga respectively, noted that this year’s theme: ‘Role of Media in Elections and Democracy’ provided an opportunity “for stakeholders in the global democracy enterprise to re-examine the contributions of journalists to the propagation and sustenance of democracy.”
Specifically, the Guild called on relevant authorities in Nigeria to begin to see journalists “as partners in development and voice of the voiceless rather than treat them as meddlesome interlopers and enemies of the people.”
Making reference to growing deaths among journalists including denial of their fundamental right to life in the course of discharging their duties, the Editors’ body appealed to Nigerian security agencies to ensure the safety of all journalists especially during elections.
“The media has the capacity to support peace and reconciliation processes among political actors hence should be allowed to play its constitutional role,” it said.
The statement further said: “As is the tradition, this year’s World Press Freedom Day also examines the safety of journalists. Ensuring the safety of journalists is the primary way by which societies can foster the independence and freedom of the press, as crucial for democracy. This will also ensure public access to information.”
The Guild regretted that there was a clear and present threat to achieving that goal. The body referred to global statistics to support its crusade for the protection of journalists.
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It said, “The International Federation of Journalists noted that in 2018 alone, at least 94 journalists were killed across the world. The 2018 figure indicates an increase from the previous year which recorded 82 fatalities.”
The body echoed the concern of the United Nations which had earlier noted that journalists were undergoing too much stress which is ultimately undermining their ability to report accurately without fear of attack.
It quoted the UN as saying: “Today, the contribution of free, pluralistic, independent and safe journalism to democracy is under unprecedented stress. Also, election outcomes and their aftermath are critically affected by political discourse and communications, including the role of the media in relation to the polling process.”
The Guild condemned modern day leaders whom it said “do nothing except denounce the media as biased to the extent that factual information reported by the Press is now termed ‘fake news’ to the detriment of the journalism profession.”