As the work marks world press freedom day, government has been urged to create enabling environment for media professionals to practice their trades.
In a statement by the chairman of Nigeria Union of journalists,Comrade Wasiu Ajadosu and secretary, Bukola Elufadeju said media professionals deserved a decent life through a special wage owing to their roles in nation building.
The statement decried the attitude of some media owners to the welfare of their staffs especially non payment of salaries and other benefits to media professionals while some are paying ridiculous amount to their workers.
It posited that media professionals are playing important roles in the entrenchment of democracy and its sustainability aside from being the key actors in the struggle for democratic system in the country hence the need for their special treatment in the country.
It hinted that many journalists had been killed while other risked their lives daily in the task of sustaining the unity of the nation and project the country for national growth and development.
The statement noted that the theme of this year celebration ” information as a public good” attested to the significant of information to human existence and survival and it place in promotion of public good as well as good governance.
It explained that the theme also , underlines the indisputable importance of verified and reliable information as it calls attention to the essential role of free and professional journalists in producing and disseminating information by tackling misinformation and other harmful content.
The statement called on public officers to always give media professionals access to information saying despite the freedom of information act some public officers are still treating some information as classified and confidential.
It maintained that media as the fourth estate of the realm must be seen as formidable partner in the task of nation building.
World Press Freedom Day which was declared by general Assembly of the united nation in 1993 provides an avenue to pay tribute to media professionals who risked or lost their lives in the line of duty.
