Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, Andrew David Adejo, has observed threats to female journalists due to gender-based violence, harassment, discrimination in the newsroom and disproportionate online attacks.
Adejo noted this, Tuesday, at a two-day workshop on impact of safe journalism and gender equality and democratic governance in Nigeria, organised by the Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO (NATCOM-UNESCO), under the Federal Ministry of Education, in collaboration with UNESCO Regional Office, Abuja.
He said according to UNESCO’s data, more than 700 journalists and media workers have been killed in the last 10 years.
He explained that the UNESCO has approved the workshop to enhance the capacity of journalists on how to stay safe while on duty; especially in a conflict-ridden environment.
He said it also aims to create public awareness about gender imbalance in journalism as a profession and encourage the participation of more women, to reappraise strategies for the media to promote good governance; and sensitise the public on the importance of safe media and good governance.
He stated that, in widening the frontiers of the public sphere to good governance and development, “we must agree that there are specific responsibilities that are most appropriately discharged by the media in consolidating democratic governance in Nigeria.”
According to him, “this responsibility is the answerability of the media to the various constituencies that depend on it (the media) for information, education and direction for proper functioning of the system.”
Representative of UNESCO Office, Abuja, Nuhu Yachat,
explained that “the workshop presents an opportune moment for us to delve into the importance of safe journalism and explore ways to protect and support journalists in fulfilling their vital role in democratic governance.”
In his goodwill message, the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Christopher Isiguzo, said the impunity for crimes against the media not only perpetuates the cycle of violence but also hampers the free flow of information, endangering press freedom and the democratic principles we hold dear.