The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Imo State Council has described as disturbing reality, the recent report released by Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, CJID, which placed Imo as number one state in Nigeria posing hostility to journalism practice.
The Union advised the state government to leverage the report to remedy what it described as a sour relationship between it and the media instead of resorting to name calling.
A press statement made available to Journalists by the State Chairman of the Union, Precious Nwadike, described the report as damning to the image of the Imo government, confirmed the long-held fear of the perilous environment against press freedom in the state.
“The CJID’s Openness Index Report, unveiled in Abuja last Thursday by Professor Victor Ayedun-Aluma of the University of Jos, placed Imo State last on the log, 37th out of 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, with an abysmal score of 40.70%.
“This score highlights the severe challenges journalists face in carrying out their constitutional duties, far below even Bauchi (35th, 42.69%) and Lagos (22nd, 48.93%).”he stated.
Nwadike added that the ranking did not come as a surprise stating that it is a grim validation of what Imo Journalists face while carrying out their social responsibility.
The NUJ Chairman noted that the state has become synonymous with hostility, insecurity, and danger for journalists and other media professionals climaxing to total silencing of the press.
“The CJID ranking specifically assesses states on their performances in upholding press freedom. Imo’s last-place finish underscores a systematic failure.
Journalists face orchestrated hazards and hardships, making their work an “uphill task.”he added.
Nwadike asserted that the report correlates what he termed as abysmal ranking with alleged deliberate attempt by the State Government to factionalise the media bodies through its spokesperson and the Commissioner of Information, Declan Emelumba.
The Chairman in the press statement, accused the state government of attempting to ignore the factual nature of the report by accusing the CJID of carrying out a biased exercise.
He also faulted the government spokesperson for claiming that CJID did not hear from it before concluding the exercise, noting, ”it is not mandatory for the media group to hear from the state government when most of the attacks against journalists were in the public domain.
Nwadike cited the cases of Chinonso Uba, who he said has faced several attacks and unlawful detention, Chidiebube Okeoma and others who he maintained have been severally beaten by security agencies not excluding Obinna Akuwudike who according to him is currently in police custody.
The Chairman, further maintained that attempt to impose leadership on the union contributed immensely to the disunity of members.
“Attempts to handpick union leadership and impose Correspondents’ Chapel heads point to a desperate desire to control and bridle the press.Whatever be the case, hostility to journalists is hostility to truth, justice, and the fundamental rights of all Imo residents. It is an assault on our shared humanity and public sensibility.”
“In the main, the CJID report serves as an international indictment of press freedom conditions in Imo State. It vindicates the persistent warnings from the Imo NUJ and vocal citizens who have faced intimidation.
This report further indicates that truth cannot be hidden and should serve as a call-out to all defenders of democracy: Imo State must end its war on journalism” he intoned.
The Union further advised the state government to use the opportunity to reverse its steps and create an environment that guarantees journalists’ safety, upholds press freedom and holds those responsible for the repression accountable.
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