Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abuja Council, has charged media owners on the payment of salaries of journalists in their employ, noting that “doing otherwise amounts to a violation of their right as such negates any known law on contractual obligation.”
The union in a press statement signed by its Chairman, Paul Ella Abechi, and Secretary, Rafat Salami, yesterday in Abuja, said: “All media owners who have deliberately and criminally refused to pay the salaries of journalists in their employ should understand that it is a violation of their right as such negates any known law on contractual obligation.
“The NUJ hereby calls on all media organisations to make payment of salaries a priority and where such media organisations feel they are unable to do so, they should begin to consider merging with other media houses or risk running out of business.”
Continuing, it said: “As the World Commemorates World Press Freedom Day, the FCT Council commends all journalists who have continued to stay true to the calling of their profession despite increasing threats, intimidation, harassment and arbitrary arrests by security agents and sometimes negative backlash from some sections of the society.
“In line with the theme of the World Press Freedom Day, ‘Keeping Power in Check: Media Justice and The Rule of Law’, we urge all journalists to continue to hold government accountable to the people especially now that the nation is inching towards the 2019 general election. “We must also seek better legislation in our country to enhance the rule of law and legislation on a new Media Salary Scale.
“Government must understand that it has the singular responsibility of protecting every citizen of the country and special protection for the journalist to ensure that they carry out their constitutional responsibility in an atmosphere that is free from harassment, intimidation, seizure of equipment, assault, confiscation of publication, among other violation of the rights of journalists
