NUJ @ 70: House C’mttee Chairman Calls for Better Pay, Urges Ethical Journalism
By Joe Goddy, Katsina
As the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) marks its 70th anniversary, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Interior, Hon. Abdullahi Aliyu Ahmed, has called for an urgent review of Nigerian journalists’ salaries and allowances to safeguard them from monetary inducements and uphold the integrity of the profession.
Hon. Ahmed, who represents Musawa/Matazu Federal Constituency, made the call in a statement through his Special Assistant on Media, Sardauna Francis.
He emphasised that journalists deserve improved remuneration to reflect the sacrifices they make and the crucial role they play in nation-building.
“Nigerian journalists are left at a crossroads in respect to survival, especially with a plethora of issues ranging from non-payment of salaries as at when due, and even the salaries are not enough to take care of the basic needs of the journalists and their families,” Hon. Ahmed stated.
He noted that poor pay has pushedany journalists towards the “brown envelope” syndrome, a practice that undermines the ethics of the profession.
To combat this, he advocated for the immediate creation of a media salary structure that aligns with the country’s current economic realities.
“The immediate evolution of a media salary structure is crucial to correcting this imbalance and freeing journalists from economic slavery,” he said.
In addition to better pay, the lawmaker urged media practitioners to uphold professionalism and high ethical standards.
He highlighted the importance of fairness, accuracy, objectivity, and balance in reporting, while also warning against the spread of fake news, misinformation, and disinformation.
“Journalists are critical stakeholders in our democracy. They must recommit to the canons of fairness and objectivity while helping to promote peace, stability, and progress through their reportage,” he added.
As NUJ celebrates its seven decades of existence, Hon. Ahmed’s message resonates as a call for both better welfare for journalists and a renewed commitment to the values that define the noble profession.
