“JOURNALISTs ArE THE ONLY GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT GO TO WAR WITHOUT TRAINING, WEAPONS...."

"In the bid to end the challenge of impunity in
Nigerian Journalism, Trinity Communications,
publishers of Safety and Security Watch Magazine
has held a one-day free symposium, themed; ‘Safety
of Journalists and the Challenge of Impunity in
Nigeria’.

Speaking at the symposium yesterday at NECA House
in Ikeja, Lagos, A Media Consultant/ Former
Managing Director, Champion Newspaper, Mr Emma
Agu, said the issue of impunity and clashes between
journalists and security agents can be addressed
through constructive engagement between the
security agencies and the media.
According to him; “Journalists need to be acquainted
with security imperatives and the security agencies
should understand the working of the media, outside
their perception of the way the media should
function.

This relationship would strengthen
understanding between the two professions and
reduce conflicts and causes of.”

He noted that there is need to create some features
for journalists covering certain activities by way of
insurance as there could be a disaster.
“Media
houses should create a special insurance for
Journalists covering conflict zone.”

According to him, Journalists should practice justice
and be professional. “The professional aspects
ensure that all the elements of good journalism are
put in place, the Journalist is balanced and ensures
that all the parties are well covered.”
He said the government should also show
responsibility to Journalists.
Managing Editor/ Coordinator, Trinity
Communications, Dr Amaechi Chinyere said the
symposium is to mark the 2017 World Day for Safety
of Journalists.

According to her, the aim is to create awareness on
the hazards that are embedded in the job of a
Journalist and so that the society will understand the
journalists and find a way of assisting them to do
their work better.
“The only way to bring an end to impunity is through
the law. The law is there but it is in implementing
them that we have a problem.

For years people harass journalist and employers
don’t pay them well. Journalists fight for others but
nobody cares about nor fights for them.”
The only way to stop impunity, she said, is to play by
the rules and for Nigerians to rise against impunity
wherever it occurs in the media.
She urged the government to comply with the
provisions of all laws. “All the laws against impunity
should be activated. Employers of labour should
equip their workers.

All Journalists should rise up
and begin to do our job well. We should do an
easement on the hazards of our jobs before
embarking on it,” she said.

Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP
Olarinde Famous-Cole, said the Police and the public
work hand in hand to achieve necessary result.

According to him, “The police have evolved over time,
we have the human face and we have increased our
form of community relationship.”

Famous-Cole disagreed with the conflict between the
media and the police, noting that they have good
relationships. “The new CP wants us to synergies
more and create a better relationship and be more
cautious to how we interact in our conduct among
civilians,” he said.

Zonal Head of Training, Zone 2, Federal Road Safety
Commission (FRSC), Lagos, Segun Akinyemi, said, the
risk in the Journalism profession can be reduced
through training, insurance understanding, advocacy
and acquiring knowledge.

“Journalists are the only group of people that go to war without training and weapons.

They go to war to cover the situation and this has to change. You as a journalist must know the danger you are going to face in a place and access it as this would help you in discharging your duties,” he said."