Nigerian media practitioners rose from a two-day meeting in Abuja on
Saturday with the declaration of Feb. 14 as the National Media Peace
Day.
Saturday with the declaration of Feb. 14 as the National Media Peace
Day.
 |
| Christopher Isiguzo, NUJ President |
The theme of the maiden event, coming two days to the 2019 general
elections, is: “Nigeria Media Peace Day: Think Election, Think Peace”.
elections, is: “Nigeria Media Peace Day: Think Election, Think Peace”.
Practitioners from the print, broadcast and the new media signed the
declaration, read by the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists
(NUJ), Mr Christopher Isiguzo, and geared toward promoting violence-free
2019 elections.
declaration, read by the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists
(NUJ), Mr Christopher Isiguzo, and geared toward promoting violence-free
2019 elections.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was
organised by Search for Common Ground (SFCG), an international
non-governmental organisation committed to ending violent conflicts
globally.
organised by Search for Common Ground (SFCG), an international
non-governmental organisation committed to ending violent conflicts
globally.
Expressing apprehension about the proliferation of small arms,
thuggery, hate speech and fake news ahead of the elections, the
participants called on media practitioners and political actors to
exercise caution.
thuggery, hate speech and fake news ahead of the elections, the
participants called on media practitioners and political actors to
exercise caution.
The meeting also drew attention to the fate of persons with
disabilities and other vulnerable groups participating in the
electioneering process.
disabilities and other vulnerable groups participating in the
electioneering process.
They urged relevant authorities, including election management
bodies, to provide all the facilities needed for them to exercise their
franchise.
bodies, to provide all the facilities needed for them to exercise their
franchise.
The participants further enjoined all stakeholders and actors in the
process to put Nigeria first in all their actions in the build-up to the
2019 general elections and beyond.
process to put Nigeria first in all their actions in the build-up to the
2019 general elections and beyond.
They pledged to disseminate news items, feature stories, analysis and
talk shows that would promote peace as a prerequisite to development.
talk shows that would promote peace as a prerequisite to development.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
