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A university don, Dr. Sunny Mbazie, has declared that if the Boko Haram suicide bombers succeed in intimidating media houses, the society is finished.
He said journalism is not a profession for the lily-livered, who just want to make a living, but for people who must be determined, bold, courageous and ready to make sacrifice for the society.
To Mbazie, who is of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) in Rivers State, any society without media freedom is no society.
He spoke at the weekend as a guest speaker at an event organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers Council.
The event was attended by Dr. Desmond Osueke, who also presented a paper, as well as a former President of the NUJ, Mr. Ndagene Akwu, and the Rivers Chairman of the union, Mr. Opaka Dokubo.
Mbazie said: “Intimidation of media houses and journalists by Boko Haram suicide bombers must not be allowed to succeed. Once they succeed, the society is finished. Journalists must not be intimidated and should do away with bread and butter journalism.
“Journalists are like soldiers who can die at the battlefront. Journalists must always publish the truth and damn the consequences. They (journalists) must never disclose the sources of their information, even with arrest, detention, harassment and intimidation.
“Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria empowers journalists to hold government officials accountable and they must play the role effectively, as watchdogs of the society, thereby preventing corruption. With corruption, there cannot be development.
“Journalists must ensure transparency. Without press freedom, there cannot be respect for human rights, justice, democracy and transformation. Press freedom ensures freer society.”
The don also called for a special salary structure for journalists.
He enjoined reporters to always apply what he called the sixth sense.
Osueke, who is also the Editor, Research and Training of The Tide, said transformation must be for positive development. He urged journalists to always take up opportunities for training and retraining, in order to be more effective in the discharge of their duties.
The former NUJ president wondered why journalists promote the interests of others, but neglect their own welfare.
Akwu said the society has assigned responsibilities to journalists and they must live up to the challenges by being knowledgeable in all things. Besides, they must acquire further education, noting that the profession is risky. He said the practitioners must not be afraid.
The Rivers chairman of NUJ described freedom of the press as a barometer for freedom in the society.
Dokubo added that suicide bombings by Boko Haram and threats to attack more media houses called for deep reflections. He urged journalists to continue to be courageous, resolute and more professional in their duties.
TheNation