The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) says it is working on a bill to establish a structured salary scale for journalists across the country to ensure better remuneration and improved welfare for media practitioners.
NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, disclosed this on Saturday during the fourth edition of the union’s Annual Milestone Recognition of Media Icons in Nigeria.
He said the proposed bill, which would be presented to the National Assembly, is aimed at addressing poor remuneration in the media industry and strengthening professional standards.
Yahya noted that despite the critical role journalists play in sustaining democracy and promoting accountability, many media practitioners continue to contend with poor salaries and inadequate welfare.
He said the NUJ was engaging other professional bodies to develop a comprehensive legislative framework that would improve the working conditions of journalists .
The NUJ President also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the poor remuneration of Nigerian journalists, urging the Federal Government to consider a salary structure comparable to improvements approved for judicial workers.
Yahya said the annual recognition event was organised to celebrate media professionals who have distinguished themselves through courage, professionalism, sacrifice and commitment to truth and public enlightenment.
Among those honoured were Martins Oloja, Sumner Shagari Sambo, Tabutha Sani Kangiwa, Chief Eric Teniola, Segun Adeniyi, Azubuike Ishiekwene, Comrade Franz Ndulue and Kingsley Datubor Uranta, among others.
Speaking at the event, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, said democracy thrives on access to credible information, freedom of expression and the ability of citizens to hold public officials accountable.
He described journalism as indispensable to democratic governance, noting that a free press gives citizens a voice and promotes transparency in public administration.
The governor also said the sacrifices made by journalists in the struggle for the restoration of democracy in Nigeria must not be forgotten.
In his remarks, former NUJ National President, Christopher Isiguzo, urged journalists to resist attempts to weaponise information for political interests.
He stressed that truth, public interest and democratic stability must remain the guiding principles of journalism, particularly in an era of social media and instant information dissemination.
Isiguzo cautioned that the pressure to break news first must never undermine accuracy and professional responsibility.
(Insight pulse)
