The Ebonyi State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has declared that the recent suspension of Legacy FM’s Acting General Manager, Mr. Odoh Godfrey Chikwere, does not pose a threat to press freedom in the state.
In a press release signed by the Ebonyi State NUJ Chairman, Comrade Nwafor Samson, the council asserted that journalists in Ebonyi are currently enjoying the “best of Press freedom in the Country.”
The statement stressed that Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru’s administration respects the independence of the press and does not interfere with the constitutional duties of media professionals.
The statement reads “no Journalist to the best of our knowledge has ever been attacked, molested, harassed or threatened in the line of duty in Ebonyi state by the government or its agents under the current administration.
“the Council categorically affirm that members of NUJ in Ebonyi State and the Government maintain high cordial relations with mutual respect to each other’s constitutional duties.
“That the suspension of the Acting General Manager of Legacy FM, Mr Odoh Godfrey Chikwere by his Employer does not in any way constitute a threat to Press Freedom in Ebonyi State.
“That the Council wishes to caution Media Practitioners to always play by the rules and never allow personal sentiments to undermine the ethical code of Journalism practice.
The Council further warns “those meddlesome interlopers making imaginary claims of threats to Press Freedom in Ebonyi State to desist forthwith from meddling into the affairs of Journalists in the state.
“That the Council also alerts the public to be wary of some individuals who go about claiming to be Journalists while they are not, with the mischievous intent to deceive the unsuspecting members of the Public. It must be noted that there are requirements one must meet to be a Journalist and anyone claiming to be one without meeting the requirements is fake and should be treated as such.