Nigerian media stakeholders yesterday restated their commitment to resist every “covert or overt attempt” to muzzle and criminalise journalism practice in the country.
They promised to defy any plan to stifle media practice whether through the “obnoxious” Social Media Bill or the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Code of Practice.
The stakeholders, comprising the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Newspapers Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ, International Press Institute (IPI) and other media-focused groups, said there was the need for industry-wide involvement in the setting up of the structures that will set up a framework for the regulation of journalism practice in the country.
The groups, which recommended a timeline of six weeks for the structure to be set up for media regulation – for review and take-off – agreed that capacity building for media professionals should be prioritised.
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The professional bodies of journalists stated these in a communiqué they jointly issued at the end of a strategic meeting yesterday in Abuja and signed by NPAN President Kabiru Yusuf, NGE President Mustapha Isah, NUJ President Chris Isiguzo, IPI President Mojeed Musikilu, and Executive Director of International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), Dayo Ayeitan.
The media stakeholders predicated their position on the seeming renewed vigour by the National Assembly to reintroduce Bills that will likely to stifle media practice in Nigeria.
They agreed that the basic principles of good journalism practice, which is truth, accuracy, balance, independence, and protection of journalists remain the basic tenets of their profession and should be upheld at all times.
“We agreed that there is need for self-regulation based on the Code of Ethics, in addition to the need for further review of the existing code.
“Stakeholders insist on the primacy of media freedom, and to jealously guard same, and are not unaware of the responsibilities that come with such freedoms.
“Recommend the need for industry-wide involvement in the setting up of the structure for a framework for the regulation of journalism practice in the country.
“Therefore, the training and retraining of all segments of the media, especially editors, reporters and bureaucracy of the various media associations and unions – NPAN, NGE, NUJ and IPI – should be in focus. This is to enhance professionalism, institutional memory and sustainability,” the communiqué said.
The groups advised government at all levels to desist from interfering in the editorial independence of public-owned media institutions.