The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has cautioned security personnel operating in the capital city to stop harassing journalists as they go about their lawful duties.
The Union in a statement signed by the Secretary of Council, Mr. Ochiaka Ugwu, insisted that Covid-19 shutdown should not be used as an opportunity by the security personnel to distract and harass journalists.
The statement urged the security personnel to respect journalists as essential service providers and major partners in the efforts to curtail the spread of COVID-19.
“Council called on heads of security agencies in FCT to caution their officers and men from harassing journalists in the discharge of their duties as the shutdown lasts.
“They should desist, henceforth, from misusing the situation to restrict or punish media personnel.
“To ensure that urgent measures to tackle the disease are not used as a pretext to hinder free flow of news and information nor hinder media freedom, Minister of Information and Culture announced that Identity Card of media personnel will serve as their pass during the shutdown.
“Council wondered why security agents should harass our members upon displaying their ID card as directed by the authority,” the statement noted.
The NUJ, therefore, called on media owners to provide preventive kits and sanitizers to their crews and ensure only experienced reporters are made to handle critical report at this crucial period.
While urging members to maintain social distancing at their live interview programmes, the union also called on media managers to allow colleagues work from home except where it was absolutely necessary for them to go to office or studio.
The Union further expressed its commitment to “ensuring that any act to suppress free flow of news and information will be challenged even after the shutdown.”
