Poor Remuneration, Welfare, And Security Identified As Hindrance To Journalists’ Performance

By Alltimepost.com

Poor remuneration, welfare and security for journalists have been identified as critical challenges militating against the proper performance and good professional conduct of the average Nigerian media personnel.

This was contained in a communique issued at the end of a one-day workshop recently organized for Nigerian Journalists by frontline environmental non-governmental organization, African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ).

The event with the theme: “The Role of the Media in Institutionalizing Good Governance in the Niger Delta” took place in Calabar, Cross Rivers State on November 26, 2015.

Twenty two Journalists, cutting across both print and electronic media in Cross River State, led by the chairman, Cross River State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) participated in the workshop.

It was held in pursuance of “Resource Governance Enhancement in the Niger Delta (REGOND) project” which ANEEJ is currently implementing with support from Bread for the World – Protestant Development Service, Germany.

The purpose of the workshop was to strengthen the capacity of journalists to hold government accountable in areas of good governance.

It was also an opportunity to equip participants with extra media oversight capacities, develop critical, creative and strategic thinking skills.

Participants used the opportunity to appreciate the organizers of the workshop including Bread for the World – Protestant Development Service, Germany for the opportunity afforded them to benefit from this important program.

Participants commended the Cross River State government for the development of infrastructure in the state but noted that in spite of necessary legislations for good governance being in place, meaningful and sustainable development is yet to be realized.

Participants noted the constitutional provisions that empower journalists in Chapter 2(22) of the 1999 Constitution as amended and other enabling laws like the Fiscal Responsibility, the Public Procurement, the Public Finance Management and the State Statistics System.

They however, noted that despite the existence of these laws journalists have not fully exploited them in their reportage to track government expenditure and ensure that it matches revenue inflow.

Participants noted in the communique as follows:

The political class care less about reports relating to grassroots development
Traditional rulers have not been supportive and journalists are worried about sycophants and informants who plant stories in newspapers and journalists are desirous of knowing how to deal with these situations.
Journalists are worried that government institutions and the informed elite in Cross River State are unwilling to provide information even when they are requested to do so.
Journalists are concerned that an insurance policy for their welfare is not in place in their workplaces, and want to effectively exploit the Freedom of Information Act, FOI, to institutionalize good governance in the Niger Delta.
In the light of the following, participants resolved as follows:
That there should be regular training and retraining for media practitioners
That the already existing code of ethics should guide journalists in the discharge of their professional duties.
Media establishments should finance reporters adequately to be able to function effectively.
In the absence of a viable political opposition, journalists must fill in the gap and be a viable alternative by also tasking the opposition to play their active roles.
Media organizations should take into consideration the difficult physical terrain which hinders the performance of journalists, and hence supportive structures should be developed to overcome these difficult impediments in the course of work.
Media and CSOs should be in the mainstream of budgetary policies, especially during budget proposals in the state.
To improve transparency and accountability under the state public finance management law, Niger Delta state governments should key into the federal TSA policy.
Journalists should use the Freedom of Information Act to demand information on all revenues accruing to the state.
The media should synergies with CSOs on good governance through intelligence sharing and setting the agenda for good governance.
Government should endeavor to carry communities along in citing projects in their localities.
The media and CSOs should create awareness on the tracking of funds meant for developmental purposes.
Journalists should be abreast of the relevant laws on public procurement, fiscal responsibility, public finance management and the state statistical system laws.

The communique was signed by participants from ten media organization, including: Eme Offiong, Voice of Nigeria, VON; Richard Ndoma, National Mirror; Mathias Oko, the Authority Newspaper; Edem Edem, The Union Newspapers; Eyo Charles, DAILY TRUST; Kanjal Godshield Kanjal, The Sun Newspapers; Emma Obi, Daily Times of Nigeria, DTN; Ndoma Akpet- Chairman NUJ, Cross River State, Calabar; Faith Agbo Radio Nigeria; Steve Onoh-Nig., The Chronicle Newspaper; Lanre Arotimi, Leadership Newspaper and Bob MajiriOghene Etemiku, manager communications, ANEEJ, Benin City.