By Charles Bermercide.
As political campaigns commenced, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council has warned politicians not to harass, assault or intimidate Journalists covering campaigns in the state.
In a statement issued penultimate week, the Union said they will no longer treat with kid gloves any politician in the state who harasses, assaults or intimidates any of her members, describing Journalists as the voice of the society.
The statement signed by the Chairman and secretary of the Union Stanley Job Stanley and Ike Wigodo and made available to this publication, charged Journalists to abide by the ethics of the profession, ensuring fair, balanced and objective reportage of political activities.
The statement recalls that during the PVC sensitisation exercise one of the political parties in Opobo local Government Area, the Union learnt that a drunk politician without character slapped and punched a Journalist for no reason.
“The Union allowed it to lie low because the victim refused to report the matter, assuring that any politician who carries out such an act against any NUJ member in Rivers State shall not go unpunished.
The statement reminded politicians that Journalists are not working for them but for the society and advised her members to refrain from reporting anything that would constitute or incite violence in the State.
It also urged political parties and their candidates to see journalists as partners in progress working in harmony for the good of the citizens irrespective of creed, religion or ethnic affiliations.
The Statement also noted that NUJ has concluded arrangements to Organise Governorship debate and engage candidates of various political parties seeking elective positions for a media Parley in a summit that will soon be flagged off to give them ample opportunity to tell the electorate what they have in stock for them adding that, candidates who truly have what it takes must be ready to make themselves available for these two programmes.