NUJ Seeks Legislative Backing to Regulate Journalism Practice

• Says activities of local tabloids worrisome

By Okon Bassey

Worried by the increase in the number of newspapers in circulation, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) is seeking legislation to enable it take charge of regulating the practice of journalism profession in the country.

The National President, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Waheed Odusile dropped the hint in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital at a reception organized by the Akwa State Chapter of NUJ on Friday to honour the state Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo.

Odusile who said it was worrisome hence the National body NUJ was working at ensuring that the National Assembly pass a legislation that would enable it regulate the practice.

He stated that in many states of the federation, especially in Akwa Ibom State, the number of local tabloids and their contents were food for thought for the stakeholders in the profession.

Accordingly, he called on the Akwa Ibom State Chairman of NUJ, Patrick Albert, to sanitise the activities of over 100 local newspapers in the state in order to protect the image of the union and the profession.

“As a National President of NUJ, I’m not happy with the activities of the local newspapers in Akwa Ibom state. We must promote ethical journalism. The local newspapers in Akwa Ibom state are something else. They are the ones bringing us down before the society.

“We are trying to get a legislation enacted by the National Assembly to empower NUJ to regulate the practice of journalism.

“The State Chairman of NUJ in Akwa Ibom must do something about it. I will not hesitate to bring out the full weight of the law on such people. We have to prove a point to them.”

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