Editors decry incessant harassment, detention of journalists

LAGOS — The Nigerian Guild of Editors has condemned the incessant harassment, brutalities and detention without trial of journalists across the country while performing their duties.

In a communique issued at the end of its Standing Committee meeting in Lagos to deliberate on the affairs of the nation, the Guild called on the authorities to engage the media according to the Constitution and Rule of Law and protect media practitioners and the freedom of expression.

A Photojournalist with Leadership Newspaper, Benedict Uwalaka was beaten and brutalized by mortuary attendants at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) while performing his duties.

The Guild, in the communique signed by its president, Mr Gbenga Adefaye, and Assistant Secretary, Mr Steve Ayorinde, however, enjoined all journalists to observe the ethics of the profession, publish verifiable facts only and continue to be socially responsible  in the discharge of their duties.

The Guild also noted the security challenges facing the country and hoped that with the cooperation of all, the incoming year would witness an improvement as promised by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Guild further enjoined government to specially invest in an improved  health care delivery system in the country and asked all public officers to take the people into confidence about their state of health, instead of putting the media in the embarrassing situation of speculation when public officers stayed away from their duty posts for inexcusable long periods.

The Guild resolved to conduct its 2013 biennial convention in February to elect new officers since the tenure of the current Standing Committee lapses in first quarter of next year.