Muhammed Kola Balogun, senator, representing Oyo South District, has said that attractive remuneration and welfare packages are the two major ways to address the challenges journalists in the country are facing.
The lawmaker, while delivering his paper as guest speaker at the World Press Freedom Day organised by Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) B Zone in Ibadan, at the weekend advised governments at all levels, media owners and all stakeholders in the media industry to prioritise the welfare of journalists.
At the event held at NUJ secretariat was the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Lekan Balogun, who was represented by Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadan land, Amidu Ajibade, a high chief, president general-elect of Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Adeniyi Adewole, Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) leaders of NUJ in the zone and other stakeholders in the industry.
Balogun maintained that journalists will cut corners and compromise their standard of objectivity if their welfare is not prioritised.
Balogun while delivering his paper titled, “Freedom of Expression: A driver for all other human rights”, also advised that the personal security of the practitioners should be guaranteed.
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While maintaining that freedom of expression and freedom of the media go together, he noted that both should be paramount in order not to compromise the standard of objectivity.
“Freedom of expression and freedom of the media are like Siamese twins. Media are only free when there is a deliberate attempt to ensure that freedom of expression is guaranteed in human societies.”
According to Balogun, attractive remuneration and welfare packages are the way out. Media educational institutions must be well funded and the personal security of the practitioners be guaranteed.
“Media is a platform for wide-ranging debates on war and peace as well as freedom from tyranny. Freedom of expression and media is what we need to strengthen our democracies and tear down the walls of tyranny and bad governance across the globe.
“A democratic media is needed because it gives us hope and chronicles the movements and organisations that are making history. It gives voice to the voiceless and encourages people to get involved in their struggles to make a difference. Social change will not come from the minds of the commander-in-chief, the generals or Mr. President, in fact, change is vulnerable to blockage by the powerful.
“Change begins with active common citizens, working in their communities. The media must not agree with persons or groups, government or the most powerful, it is the media’s responsibility to include all voices in the discourse and then allow the people to decide. Our democracy is going through a wobbling evolution, if we continue to work at it, we will get to the promised land no matter how long it takes.
“But this is not achievable without vibrant, highly professional and ethical media platforms devoid of sectoral corruption.”
