ASABA/Nigeria: As the world marks the International Day to End Impunity For Crimes Against Journalists, the Nigerian public has been called to allow the journalists to serve them, as they are the harbingers of vital information that brings development to the country.
This was the charge by a media development center, Bel Media Development Centre, BMDC, based in Asaba, Delta State on the occasion of this year’s celebration.
The centre in a press statement on Wednesday 2, 2022, titled Knowing the Truth Saves Lives”, stated that journalists in the country had been facing barrages of attacks and intimidation in line with their duty, which it pointed out that the attacks are increasing with the approach of the 2023 General Election.
“As the world celebrates another milestone, in its efforts to protect the lives of those who are charged to bring the news to our homes, we must have to continue to seek ways to protect these men and women, who are at the risk of intimidation and death serve humanity in a special way – providing the news.”
“The year 2022, had been a period of media practice in Nigeria, and the world. For us in Nigeria, it’s one with mixed feelings, as we are in an election year. We have witnessed attacks, intimidation, and arrests of journalists, closing of media houses most of the time due to the political rascality of individuals and the government of the day.”
This year’s anniversary is very vital, as we in Nigeria prepare for another national election, and the place of the journalist in this election as in any other election is very vital as the public will rely on their reports. for we in BMDC, we must emphasise the need for reporters and media managers to be extremely vigilant, cautious, and mindful of their working environment.
Our message is simple, which is knowing the “Truth Saves Lives”, therefore, call on the Nigerian public to afford the journalists the opportunity to serve them better, as interrogating the process of governance is very vital for the country to development. The work of the journalist is not to destroy, all calls, but to see that humanity is always in good hands.
Let us, therefore, join hands to protect the lives and works of the journalist around you. He is your information provider. He holds vital information that will protect and promote the lives around him. We must know, therefore, that knowing the Truth Savings Lives.”
