The Nigerian Guild of Editors has criticized the recent harassment and detention of journalists in the country.
Law enforcement agents in recent months have arrested and detained a number of members of the press with the latest being four staff of Leadership newspaper.
The NGE, at a meeting of its Standing Committee in Ilorin, said though it was not against the investigation of newsmen where necessary, however, such must conform with the basic norms of due process.
The communique, signed by the President of the NGE, Femi Adesina, and General Secretary, Isaac Ighure, reads in full:
“The Standing Committee Meeting of the Nigerian Guild of Editors held between April 18 and 20, 2013 in Ilorin, Kwara State and rose with the following resolutions:
“The Guild decries what appears to be a siege to the media the latest being the recent harassment and detention of journalists of Leadership newspaper. The Guild notes that while it is not against the investigation of journalists when and where necessary, such investigation must conform to the basic norms of due process permissible in a democracy. It urges the government to ensure that there is a departure from the old ways whereby journalists were arrested and detained arbitrarily.
“The Guild observes that the security agencies are doing their best but urges them to do more to stem the worsening climate of insecurity in the country. The Guild notes with regret that in recent days, a former deputy governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chudi Nwike and a serving police commissioner in Kwara State, Mr Chinwike Asadu were killed in bizarre circumstances. In Lagos, a local government chairman, Mr Kehinde Bamigbetan, was abducted, and bombs still go off with reckless abandon in some parts of the country. However, the Guild acknowledges the effort of the federal government to tackle the situation and welcomes any initiative that would engender lasting peace in the country.
“In the face of the reported growth in the economy which has been acknowledged by relevant bodies including the World Bank, the Guild urges the Federal Government to ensure that such economic growth translates to the creation of more jobs and wealth as a way of tackling rising poverty and unemployment in the country both of which have reached crisis point. The Guild notes that it is through the creation of jobs that the people would benefit directly from the reported economic growth.
“In view of the forecast by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) that this year would experience yet another bout of flooding, the Guild urges the states and Federal Government to heed the warning and take proactive steps to avoid a repeat of the unpleasant incidence of flooding experienced last year. “The Guild thanks Kwara State government for its hospitality and hosting of the Standing Committee Meeting.”
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