Tag: JOURNALISTS

“Speak truth to power without antagonism” – VP Shettima to journalists

Aminu Imam
VP Shettima to journalists

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigerian journalists to focus on speaking truth to power objectively without antagonising the government.  He made this appeal at the launch of ‘Persona Non Grata’, a book by a journalist, Isma’il Omipidan, which was held at the Abuja Continental Hotel. Drawing the distinction between antagonism and speaking truth to power, Shettima also urged members of the fourth estate of the realm to, as a matter of necessity, always strive to strike a balance between their allegiance to self and to truth. He emphasised the need…

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Arewa Broadcast Media Forum raises alarm over journalists’ intimidation in Kano

Aminu Imam
Arewa Broadcast Media Practitioners' Forum

The Arewa Broadcast Media Practitioners’ Forum has expressed deep concern over what it describes as a growing trend of harassment and intimidation against journalists in Nigeria.  In a strongly-worded statement issued yesterday, signed by its Chairman, Abdullahi Yelwa, (Ajiyan  Yauri), the Forum condemned the actions of the Federal High Court in Bichi, Kano State, following a judgment against two respected journalists, Shu’aibu Mungadi, of Vision Media Services, and Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, of Liberty Radio/Television. The judgment, secured by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has sparked outrage among…

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‘Int’l Day to End Impunity Against Media Practitioners’: BoN calls for protection of journalists

Aminu Imam
BoN on protection of journalists

The Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BoN) has urged the Federal Government and security agencies to recognise journalists as crucial partners in promoting accountability and good governance, as mandated by the Constitution.  According to a press statement to mark the ‘International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists’, issued yesterday by the  BON’s Executive Secretary Dr. Yemisi Bamgbose,  BON emphasised the need for re-orientation of security forces and other state actors to respect the essential role of the media. BON highlighted the troubling issues of harassment, unlawful arrests, violence, and other forms…

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KNSG denies banning 14 journalists from covering Government House

Aminu Imam
KNSG denies

Says Its routine replacement The Kano State government has denied claims that it banned 14 accredited journalists from covering the Government House. Recall that yesterday, 14 journalists were reportedly asked to return to their respective organisations for replacements without prior notification or official reasons. The decision was linked to a disagreement between the journalists and the state media managers over issues of privileges. Reacting to the development, Dawakin-Tofa Bature, spokesperson of Kano state governor, Abba Kabir-Yusuf, said it is a routine to replace reporters who cover the activities of the…

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#EndBadGovernance: IBAN urges Police, security agencies to stop attacking journalists on line of duty

Aminu Imam
Ramalan IBAN

The Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria, (IBAN) has called on the Police and other security agencies to stop the increasing attacks on journalists covering the on-going #EndBadGovernance protests across the country. In an issued statement on Saturday, IBAN expressed deep concern over the indiscriminate harassment and assaults on Journalists, who are performing their Constitutional duties. The statement, signed by IBAN Chairman Alhaji (Dr.) Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, calls for immediate action to protect journalists and uphold their rights as they cover the nationwide protests. He emphasised that while maintaining law and…

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“Our freedom gives us hope in govt. efforts to tackle security challenges” Freed Kaduna journalists

Aminu Imam
Freed Kaduna journalists

The recently-freed Kaduna journalists have insisted that the speed at which they were rescued by the security agencies has given them hope that Government can tackle the insecurity bedeviling the nation. The assertion was made by Abdulgafar Alabelewe, of Nation newspaper, who spoke on behalf of the kidnapped victims during a visit to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammad Idris. This was even as they maintained that they never expected that they would be rescued in seven days. Recall that two journalists, Abdulgafar Alabelewe, alongside his wife and…

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Health Journalists get emergency hazard funds from network

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir
Nigerian Health minister Pate

The Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN)has announcedthe launch of anEmergencyandHazard Fund dedicatedtosupportingtheAssociationofNigeria Health Journalists(ANHeJ). Dr Aminu Magashi, Coordinator of AHBN, made the announcement during a roundtable with ANHeJs executive council in Abuja. Magashi explained that the fund aims to provide financial assistance to journalists facing personal emergencies or hazards while reporting on health-related issues. Acknowledging the risks and challenges encountered by health journalists, particularly during health emergencies, he emphasised the critical role these journalists play in disseminating accurate information to the public. He outlined the funds purpose as offering financial…

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Election: Clerics, NUJ caution Journalists against sensationalism, devisive reportage

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir
Stakeholders at NUJ conference in Makurdi

Rev. Fr Patrick Alumuku, Director of Communication, Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, has urged media practitioners to shun sensational reportage that would compromise security before, during and after the general elections. Alumuku made the appeal at a zonal conference organised by Zone D of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), on Thursday in Makurdi. The conference was on The Role of the Media in enhancing peaceful election and democratic participation. Alumuku who is also the Director Catholic Television of Nigeria, said the call was imperative in view of the nexus between…

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Journalist arrested, more than 80 media workers detained in Iran

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

The head of the political editorial department at the reformist newspaper Etemad has been arrested in Iran, the paper reported on Friday, citing his wife. Mehdi Beyk was arrested on Thursday and his mobile phone and notebook confiscated. In recent weeks, numerous Iranian journalists have been detained as part of a wave of arrests. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists in New York, more than 80 media workers have already been arrested. The possibilities for reporting are massively restricted in the country. Irans political leadership has been under enormous…

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Channels Media chairman warns broadcasters against irresponsible journalism

Aminu Imam

The Chairman of Channels Media Group, John Momoh, has cautioned journalists on the need to avoid divisive and offensive rhetoric which could subvert the peace of the country. According to a statement at the weekend, the media entrepreneur gave the warning while speaking on: Challenges, prospects and responsibilities, during the Lagos leg of the two-arm induction of 400 members into the Society of Nigeria Broadcasters, which was held in Lagos. Momoh said, Irresponsible journalism, rooted in laziness to verify, re-check and triple check facts and figures before going to town…

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