We Will Sponsor Bill Against Owing Journalists’ Salaries — NUJ

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has said there is an ongoing plan, in collaboration with the newspaper owners, to sponsor a bill to penalise media organizations that owe journalists.

This was disclosed by its Christopher National President, Christopher Isiguzo, in Makurdi at an interactive session with members of the union in the state, to appreciate members for voting him.

The members had also complained of regular intimidation, harassment and detention, over their reports like ordinarily criminals.

According to Isiguzo, when the bill is passed into law, media houses would no longer owe media workers salaries.

On another development, the NUJ member’s frown at regular intimidation, harassment and detention, over their reports like ordinarily criminals. On this note, Isiguzo said there was need for stakeholders to respect journalists and desist from abusing them.

Isiguzo added that the practice of journalism in Nigeria is gradually being viewed as crime, as members are no longer honoured in the job.

He said journalists need to be accorded respect and where they violate the ethics; they should be reported to the union or court of law, rather than resort to unlawful ways.

The NUJ president said he had already informed President Muhammadu Buhari, Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum, Kayode Fayemi and other governors, on the incessant harassment of members.

“We are going to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Interior and security agencies, so that our members will be easily identified anywhere. We believe the cases of intimidation, harassment among others will be addressed with this move”.

Isiguzo urged members to stand up to the task, and embrace the new media in order to maintain leading space in the media world.

He said the union is planning to bring together all the online media organisations for effective regulation.