From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The Christian Broadcasting Network Africa (CBN) has told the Federal Government to desist from stifling the media and responsible journalism with draconian policies.
It remarked that no nation can function effectively and democratically without the watchdog role, played by journalists.
Its West Africa’s Regional Director, Dr. Felix Oisamoje, at a press briefing, to mark CBN’s 30 years of existence, said the government should collaborate with the media for effective reportage.
Oisamoje clarified that he was not in support of blackmail and jaundice journalistic practices, but credible and verified reporting.
He said: “The government should provide an enabling environment for the media to practice their profession without hindrance.
“A situation where a TV journalist, a radio journalist or a newspaper journalist is afraid to report the truth because somebody is going to do something to them is not healthy to the practice of the journalism profession.
“Part of the problems we are suffering as media professionals is self censorship.
“Why are we suffering from self censorship? It is because people have done their jobs and they did it well and they got arrested for it and your family do not know where you are, meanwhile you are languishing somewhere.
“So, self censorship will begin to set in and make it difficult for us to practice our trade the way it should be done. So, if the government can allow the media to practice the trade properly, I am not saying to practice recklessly, and if they do, there are institutions set up by government to check it.
“The government should allow the institutions to do what they are supposed to do, and I believe that the practice of journalism will blossom and Nigeria will be better.”
Also, he identified insecurity as one of the snags hindering effective journalistic practices, adding that reporters find it difficult visiting certain areas for investigation because of the fear of the unknown.
According to him, CBN Africa will redefine the media profession with top-notch programmes.
Apart from the media, he said “CBN transforms lives through our Humanitarian arm, Operation Blessing (OB).
“From as far back as 1998 when we brought relief to victims of the Jesse pipeline explosion in Delta State, to bringing comfort to communities affected by natural disasters like floods, CBN Africa has supported and strengthened vulnerable families.
“In a world where insurgent attacks leave carnage and devastation behind, Operation Blessing is on the ground to bring relief interventions to victims of attacks in places like Borno, Adamawa and Plateau.
“We continue to support communities by training volunteer healthcare workers and setting up Rural Clinics across the country.
“Clean Water is essential to life and since the year 2000, we have brought clean water to many villages across Anglophone West Africa.
“Numerous communities have also benefitted from our life-changing surgeries and mobile medical clinics. Our outreaches have brought a new lease of life to countless orphans, orphanages and vulnerable children across the region.”
On his part, Secretary, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ochiaka Ugwu, assured CBN Africa that the council would continue to collaborate with it to reshape journalism practice.
