By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Network of Peace Journalists on the Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP), has kicked, against all forms of intimidation, molestation, torture or imprisonment of journalists round the world.
The network, a program with coordination from Interfaith Mediation Centre (IMC), and Conflict Mitigation and Management Regional Council (CMMRC), disclosed this ahead of world international Press freedom day which comes up on May 2023.
In a statement in Kaduna weekend, the team leader of the network Ibrahima Yakubu, noted that Promoting the safety of journalists from those who attacked them are central actions within the Network of peace journalists support for press freedom and freedom of expression world wide.
He mentioned that, in order to protect journalists, the network has suggested that there should be hotlines, safe houses, safety fund, safety equipment, legal assistance, emergency assistance amongst others for journalists by their unions.
The network stressed the need for continuous training on risk analysis and threat mitigation to secure communications, conflict sensitive journalism, media laws and code of conduct and others.
He noted that Journalists should be resilient, build support groups, raise alarm when threatened or intimidated, and report incidents of attacks and seek legal redress for any violation of their individual and professional rights.
“This year’s international press freedom day comes amidst of Russia/Ukraine war, Sudan crises claiming lives and properties , rising cases of banditry, kidnappings and terrorism in Nigeria and some parts of the world”, he states.
He equally stressed the need to take into account the specific risks women journalists face; hence the need for media owners and other stakeholders to support in raising awareness on the need for the protection of women journalists round the world.
He suggested that, there should be a global agreement between governments and media owners to guard journalists’ safety.
“67 journalists were killed in 2022, a sharp increase from 2021. Report say a total of 67 journalists died around the world in 2022, a watchdog group said, it was largely driven by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and civil unrest following the assassination of Haiti’s president, on 25 01 2023.
“In a media report, it revealed that Since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, at least 19 journalists have been killed, mostly in questionable circumstances.
He said Journalists around the world are increasingly being targeted, molested, intimidated or killed for their work. “But one thing to know is journalism is not a crime.”
Among the training we dishes out to journalists include early sign and early warning to mitigate conflicts
“Mean while, the network of Peace journalists has called on Nigeria Labour Congress [NLC] and Nigerian union of journalists (NUJ) to ensure that all the privately owned media organizations are paying journalists monthly salary”, he an stated.
In a nutshell, the organization also kick against the recruitment of unprofessional personnel in broadcast houses in order to avert recruiting quacks in media organizations.
