Orgy of violence: Journalists die as the nation mourns

Two events were covered in that edition of OMBUDSWOMAN. The first, which was an appeal from a global body of experts, was titled Make Safety a Priority for Journalists, media stakeholders met in Vienna, Austria in November 29 2011. The experts reviewed and discussed the issue of journalists’ safety at a series of high-level consultations […]

Two events were covered in that edition of OMBUDSWOMAN. The first, which was an appeal from a global body of experts, was titled Make Safety a Priority for Journalists, media stakeholders met in Vienna, Austria in November 29 2011. The experts reviewed and discussed the issue of journalists’ safety at a series of high-level consultations organised by the Austrian Foreign Ministry and the International Press Institute (IPI). The IPI is the global forum for editors, media executives and proprietors.  They observed that impunity in crimes against journalists; serious shortcomings in the implementation of international treaties for the protection of journalists, and a widespread ignorance about specific obligations under such treaties were identified by participants of the meeting as some of the greatest challenges in ensuring journalists’ safety around the world.

Here at home, the second report was the coverage of an activity organised by journalists in Abuja titled, “Please Provide Insurance for Journalists”. ‘It is not enough for journalists to wring their hands in helplessness lamenting the hazardous nature of their work rather, they were challenged to be proactive and do something.  Last month, the issue of insurance for journalists was raised at the launching ceremony of the maiden edition of the Information Chapel’s in-house magazine, Polity Today. The National Vice-President in charge of Zone H (FCT/Niger State), Gbenga Onayiga of the Federal Radio Corporation (FRCN) Headquarters News Directorate, who is also Chairman of the Journalists Insurance Committee, called on employers to insure journalists. He reminded the Information Chapel leadership of the need for all their members to subscribe to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) insurance package.

How apt these admonitions are because proprietors, editors, reporters who cover the news and other media stakeholders are beginning the new year in a pensive mood. Increasing rate of terrorist attacks and the high casualty is giving us sleepless nights.  As citizens in a country where security is on the front burner of national discourse, the media has been doing their best to provide news and views to their vast audience. This cannot be done if field reporters do not go out to cover events and report them. This legitimate work is becoming dangerous given the cases of hazardous encounters these reporters have to contend with. Two of these cases are reported in the first three weeks of this year. When we add the killing of a television reporter, Zakariya Isa, last October in Maiduguri, the unfolding story of a dangerous trend becomes clear.