NUJ Calls For Constitutional Safeguards And Media Bailout Fund To Protect Journalists.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has made a passionate plea for constitutional protections for media professionals and the creation of a dedicated bailout fund to bolster struggling independent media organisations across Nigeria. The appeal was voiced during the South West Zonal Public Hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution, held in Akure, Ondo State, and organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Constitutional Review. Representing the NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, the Ondo State NUJ Chairman, Leke Adegbite, underscored the vital role of the media in promoting transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance.
Abdullahi highlighted the escalating threats to press freedom and journalist safety, describing attacks on media professionals as systemic violations that undermine Nigeria’s democratic foundations. He urged lawmakers to align the country’s press freedom protections with international best practices, citing examples of democracies that have implemented media bailout strategies to preserve journalism as a public good. The NUJ proposed specific constitutional provisions to ensure the safety and security of journalists and their equipment, arguing that such measures would reinforce the rights to freedom of expression, life, and liberty while tackling the culture of impunity surrounding attacks on media workers.
On the economic front, the NUJ president called for the establishment of a Media Bailout Fund to provide financial relief to independent media outlets grappling with declining advertising revenues, rising operational costs, and inflation. He emphasised that these economic challenges threaten the survival of independent voices, which are crucial for fostering diverse opinions and sustaining investigative journalism. “A well-managed bailout fund would protect jobs, reduce commercial and political pressures, and promote editorial independence,” Abdullahi stated. To ensure transparency, he proposed that the fund be managed by an independent body free from government influence.
Referencing Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates the press to hold the government accountable, Abdullahi stressed that journalists’ ability to fulfil this role is compromised without robust protections. “Journalists act as the fourth estate, informing the public and exposing corruption. Threats to their safety erode this critical function,” he warned. The NUJ’s proposals, he added, are not merely a plea but a strategic imperative to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and ensure a well-informed public.
The call for a bailout fund echoes earlier appeals by the NUJ, including a 2020 request to the Federal Government for urgent intervention to save the media industry from collapse amid economic challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The union’s latest demands signal a renewed urgency to address both the physical and economic threats facing Nigeria’s media landscape, reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding journalism as a cornerstone of democracy.
