Editors Guild urges collaboration between media, security agencies

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has called for healthy collaboration between the media and security agencies in the fight against insecurity across the country.

This was part of the resolutions reached at the end of the 17th All Nigerian Editors Conference themed; “Media In Times of Crises: Resolving Conflict, Achieving Consensus,” held in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

A communique signed by the NGE’s President, Mustapha Isah and the General Secretary, Iyobosa Uwugiaren, stated that the prevalent insecurity challenges, which have seen terrorists, bandits, armed herdsmen and other criminal elements holding the nation to ransom and threatening its survival and development, have the potential of tearing the country to shreds.

According to the NGE, the problem of insecurity is taking a huge toll on societal life and posting negative development indices in several areas adding that peace and development, which are germane to further advancement of Nigeria, cannot thrive in times of crises

They noted that governments at all levels have a huge responsibility to defend, protect and provide for its citizens

“The problem of insecurity confronting the country is taking a huge toll on societal life and posting negative development indices in several areas. That the insecurity crises stem from leadership failure that has bedevilled the country for many years

“There are fears in some quarters that editors and media professionals seem to have taken sides in the raging crises. “That journalists and security agents who are first-line responders to every flash points appear locked in mutual suspicion,’’ the communique stated.

Noting that that journalist are often times impaired and harassed by security agents from carrying out their professional responsibilities, the conference said that peace and development, which are germane to further advancement of Nigeria cannot thrive in times of crises

The conference resolved, “Governments at all levels have a responsibility to defend, protect and provide for its citizens. That agitations for self-determination, which are raging in the South-east, South-west and the South-south regions do not augur well for the unity of the country.

“The conference called for an end to raging insecurity so that citizens can conduct their normal lives in an atmosphere of peace and concord. That there’s a need for healthy and harmonious collaboration between the media and the security agencies in the fight against insecurity.

“There is a need for security agents to appreciate the role of Journalists and media professionals and refrain from anything that will abridge it.

“The conference also advised editors and other media professionals to ensure that they are conflict-sensitive and ensure they do not publish stories that are capable of inflaming ethnic, regional and religious passion. While calling for urgent need to tackle the monster of misinformation and sanitize the media against unprofessional and unethical behaviour.

“The conference also called on the government to support the survival of the media as part of the task of building the nation’s democracy and avoid any acts that will put the media in chains.”

While calling on the federal government to confront issues that have given rise to the demands of the different self-determination groups, the conference advised it to endeavour to deal with the different sections of the country on the basis of fairness, equity and justice.

“There is need for government to ensure that its policies and actions are sensitive to the multi ethnic and religious makeup of the country.

“Government needs to commit more resources to education, healthcare and tackle the rising costs of food and other social services’,’ the conference stated.

The conference was chaired by a veteran journalist, Ray Ekpu, with Group Managing Director, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Malam Mele Kolo Kyari, as Special Guest of Honour, and President, Newspapers Proprietors of Nigeria (NPAN), Malam Kabiru Yusuf, as Guest of Honour.

Highlight of the conference was the unveiling of the book chronicling 60 years of the Nigerian Guild of Editors titled, “Uneven Steps: The Story Of The Nigerian Guild of Editors,” authored by Mr Lanre Idowu.

The two-day conference was rounded up with a 60th Anniversary Dinner, which featured the induction of eight new Fellows and 13 new members.

The conference was attended by 350 editors, security chiefs, and other stakeholders

PR/PIAK