All over the world, journalists have become endangered species with many losing their lives in the line of duty and in the hands of both state and none state actors.
This is why the United Nations designated November 2 annually as “international day to end impunity against journalists aimed at encouraging communities and organizations to initiate conversations on how to ensure safer working environment for media men and women.
According to a UNESCO observatory, over 1700 journalists were killed across the world between 2006 and 2024 with almost 90 percent of the cases unresolved in the courts till date.
Journalists play critical roles in the society; hence any act of impunity against them would have a damaging effect on the society at large.
Report by Press Attack Tracker of the Centre for Journalism Innovation Development, CJID, indicated that between May 2023 and June 2024, about 51 cases of impunity against journalists were recorded in Nigeria.
Speaking on the worrisome situation, the chairman, correspondent chapel, Nigeria union of Journalists, Rivers State, Mr Amaechi Okonkwo said impunity against journalists is not only real, but often comes from the agencies that ought to be partners with the media.
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He spoke further on what journalists had to contend with in bringing news and entertainment to the public.
The secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Rivers State Council, Dr Ijeoma Tubosia, said the council is working with relevant stakeholders to stem the tide and ensure the safety of members in the line of duty. She called on journalists to always put their safety first before any news story.
Although the acts of impunity against journalists may not be totally eradicated, a media scholar Mr. Bon Woke believes that even the journalists have to carry out their assignments with strict adherence to the ethics of the profession.
According to him, in a world where secrecy is the order of the day by many public office holders, impunity against the press will continue for long time to come.
To put to an end the numerous cases of impunity against journalists, respondents agreed that both state and non state actors should allow the journalists to carry out their constitutional duties for without information dissemination, the world will be in total darkness.
