By Nefishetu Yakubu
A media practitioner and ADC chieftain, Mr Kabiru Saje, has called for establishment of National Journalists’ Protection and Welfare Framework to ensure swift prosecution of attacks on journalists and improved professional welfare.
Saje, who made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja, noted that journalists risked their lives daily to uphold truth in spite of poor welfare and challenging working conditions.
According to him, protection and improved welfare for journalists in the country is non-negotiable, as they remain defenders of democracy.
The media practitioner also called for independent funding mechanisms, fellowships and continuous training programmes covering digital skills as well as ethics and artificial intelligence literacy for journalists across media organisations.
“Media organisations must guarantee fair salaries, safety protocols and editorial independence that no politician or external influence can compromise,” he stated.
According to him, journalists are courageous professionals working in difficult environments, using smartphones, digital platforms and investigative skills, to expose corruption, oppression and governance failures.
Saje noted that many reporters endure delayed salaries, intimidation and unsafe conditions, while remaining committed to verifying information and preventing misinformation from misleading the public.
“I see Nigerian journalists as defenders of democracy, risking their lives daily to expose the truth despite poor welfare, threats, misinformation and hostile working conditions.
“The Nigerian journalist remains an invisible infrastructure sustaining entity, despite facing arrests, assaults, death threats and technological challenges, from artificial intelligence deepfakes,” he stated.
The ADC chieftain expressed the regret over what he called widespread disrespect for journalists, saying politicians, security operatives and public officials often obstructed them from accessing information meant for citizens.
“The digital space has become both a battlefield and a beacon where journalists, bloggers and citizens confront harassment, censorship, misinformation and coordinated attacks,” he said.
Saje urged traditional journalists and social media content creators to unite in promoting accountability, transparency and truth in their media organisations and digital communication platforms.
“The trained professionals and young digital storytellers must work together as one formidable force, capable of holding leaders accountable without fear or favour,” he added.
Saje called on government to modernise traditional media houses, especially NAN, describing it as central to information dissemination nationwide.
“The News Agency of Nigeria must become stronger in credibility, capacity and technology because most Nigerian media organisations depend heavily on its reports,” he stated.
He also appealed to security agencies, politicians and citizens to respect press freedom, support journalists and reject misinformation which might threaten democratic development in the country.
“Every citizen with a smartphone must verify information before sharing and defend journalists against harassment, intimidation and misinformation across digital communication platforms,” Saje added.
He expressed optimism that improved protection, welfare and national support for journalists would strengthen democracy, justice, accountability and public trust in Nigeria and the entire African continent.
“Journalists are not the enemies; the real enemies are falsehood, corruption and suppression of truth, undermining national development and democratic accountability,” he stated.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu/Wale Sadeeq
