10 March 2011
Alagoa Morris
ERA
PRESS STATEMENT
It is a known fact that the control of crowds is not an easy task in terms of security, especially in presidential campaign rallies. Apart from deaths occasioned by stampede, heat and violence, the security operatives and organizer are very much concerned with the safety of their principals, the candidates presenting themselves to the people. Some deaths have so far been recorded around the country in relation to campaign rallies, including Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State during such a rally organized by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party [PDP].However, one major thing about such gathering is that the events has to be reported by journalists and, these people that brings us news often fall victim to the lapses in security arrangements. While this is often the cases around the country during important gatherings and political campaign rallies, the latest is the incident of yesterday in Yenagoa, at the Venue of PDP Presidential campaign rally, where some state Correspondents was held hostage and manhandled by security agents as allegedly ordered by the Aide-De – Camp [ADC] to the President, Lt.Col.Ojogbane Adegbe.
When the significant role journalist play in bringing about better societies the world over is taken at a glance: educating, informing, entertaining and, in fact bridging the lacuna in news and information, despite the fact that, as citizens, their Fundamental Human Rights ought to be protected; it becomes so disturbing to note how these set of professionals are being maltreated in Nigeria. It is really sad to note that journalists who were trying to leave the venue of the Presidential soon after Mr. President left the venue were actually disallowed from going out to file in their report to the respective media organization/houses. They were forced back and thrown over to the barricaded area and guarded to ensure that they do not leave at the time they wanted to leave to send their reports. One of the victims was THISDAY’s Segun James.
In the light of the above, the need for good working relationship between journalists and security personnel during such important gatherings, and the avoidance of a repeat, the CLO is constrained to make the following demands and recommendation:
1 Because there is no way journalists cannot cover such events, proper recognition should be always accorded this very important professionals before, during and after the events.
2 Those in charge of security should ensure that all journalist accredited to cover such events are duly briefed at least twenty four hours before the event and proper, identifiable tags are made available to each and every one of them, that gives them some measure of air of freedom to enter or leave such venues.
3 The authorities should openly apologize for the continued harassment of journalists, even for this recent case in Yenagoa.
4 Security agencies should also recognize the fact that they ought to work in close collaboration with newsmen, to ensure that the society gets the actual news and on time, to avoid rumour. The scenario whereby security agents or soldier manhandle journalists does not portray the nation in good light. Journalists, in their own right ought to be treated with respect. Our society would be worse for it without the effort of journalists; hence the authorities must take appropriate steps to put an end to all forms of maltreatment meted out on journalists in the country. Enough is enough.
5 The Nigerian Union of Journalists must rise up to the occasion and make the necessary demands from government for the protection of not only their members Fundamental Human Rights, but their rights as professionals whose areas of jurisdiction cannot be limited by intimidation. And, until the right thing is done on the subject matter, the CLO will continue to demand that the authorities prevail on the security agencies to behave in civilized manner to fellow citizens going about their legitimate duties to their employers and society in general.
The act by the security officers against journalists in Yenagoa yesterday is totally unacceptable; this has become a recurring decimal and we demand an end to the act.
When the significant role journalist play in bringing about better societies the world over is taken at a glance: educating, informing, entertaining and, in fact bridging the lacuna in news and information, despite the fact that, as citizens, their Fundamental Human Rights ought to be protected; it becomes so disturbing to note how these set of professionals are being maltreated in Nigeria. It is really sad to note that journalists who were trying to leave the venue of the Presidential soon after Mr. President left the venue were actually disallowed from going out to file in their report to the respective media organization/houses. They were forced back and thrown over to the barricaded area and guarded to ensure that they do not leave at the time they wanted to leave to send their reports. One of the victims was THISDAY’s Segun James.
In the light of the above, the need for good working relationship between journalists and security personnel during such important gatherings, and the avoidance of a repeat, the CLO is constrained to make the following demands and recommendation:
1 Because there is no way journalists cannot cover such events, proper recognition should be always accorded this very important professionals before, during and after the events.
2 Those in charge of security should ensure that all journalist accredited to cover such events are duly briefed at least twenty four hours before the event and proper, identifiable tags are made available to each and every one of them, that gives them some measure of air of freedom to enter or leave such venues.
3 The authorities should openly apologize for the continued harassment of journalists, even for this recent case in Yenagoa.
4 Security agencies should also recognize the fact that they ought to work in close collaboration with newsmen, to ensure that the society gets the actual news and on time, to avoid rumour. The scenario whereby security agents or soldier manhandle journalists does not portray the nation in good light. Journalists, in their own right ought to be treated with respect. Our society would be worse for it without the effort of journalists; hence the authorities must take appropriate steps to put an end to all forms of maltreatment meted out on journalists in the country. Enough is enough.
5 The Nigerian Union of Journalists must rise up to the occasion and make the necessary demands from government for the protection of not only their members Fundamental Human Rights, but their rights as professionals whose areas of jurisdiction cannot be limited by intimidation. And, until the right thing is done on the subject matter, the CLO will continue to demand that the authorities prevail on the security agencies to behave in civilized manner to fellow citizens going about their legitimate duties to their employers and society in general.
The act by the security officers against journalists in Yenagoa yesterday is totally unacceptable; this has become a recurring decimal and we demand an end to the act.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Your comments are most welcome!