NUJ Urges Constitutional Backing for Journalists, Proposes Media Bailout Fund
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called on the Federal Government to constitutionally guarantee the protection of journalists and establish a dedicated Media Bailout Fund to support struggling independent media organisations across the country.
This appeal was made by the NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Abdullahi, during the South West Zonal Public Hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution, organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Constitutional Review in Akure, Ondo State. He was represented by the Chairman of the NUJ in Ondo State, Mr. Leke Adegbite.
Abdullahi emphasized that the media serves as a vital pillar of democracy by promoting transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance. He warned that growing threats to media professionals and institutions are not only detrimental to the industry but also pose serious risks to national stability, good governance, and social cohesion.
Making reference to Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates the press to hold the government accountable to the people, the NUJ president called for explicit constitutional provisions that will ensure the safety of journalists and protect press freedom. He argued that unless journalists can operate freely and safely, their ability to fulfill their watchdog role and expose corruption would be undermined.
He said, “Journalists act as the fourth estate of the realm, holding power accountable and informing the public. Threats to their safety erode their capacity to perform this critical role.”
Read Also:
Abdullahi also proposed that the amended constitution should include clauses guaranteeing the safety of journalists, protection of their work equipment, and deterrent sanctions against attacks on press freedom.
Beyond physical threats, the NUJ highlighted the economic challenges confronting independent media outlets. Abdullahi called for the creation of a Media Bailout Fund to provide financial relief to struggling media organisations, especially those not funded by government or political interests.
He noted that falling advertising revenues, inflation, and rising production costs have left many outlets barely surviving, jeopardizing media plurality and editorial independence.
“Independent media provide a platform for diverse opinions and public discourse. A well-managed bailout fund would protect jobs, sustain investigative journalism, and reduce the influence of commercial and political pressures,” he stated.
To ensure transparency and credibility, he proposed that the bailout fund should be managed by an independent body, free from government control. He further recommended that eligibility criteria be clearly defined to ensure the funds are accessed only by genuinely distressed, independent media outfits.
Abdullahi urged lawmakers to use the constitutional review process to align Nigeria’s media protections with global best practices, including adopting strategies used by advanced democracies to support journalism as a public good.
He concluded by calling on the constitutional review committee to take decisive legislative steps that will empower journalists to operate without fear and allow the independent media sector to thrive.
By PRNigeria
