Guild of Editors rejects FG’s sanction on media houses
The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) on Thursday warned the Federal Government to stop harassing the media for reporting banditry and terrorism in the country.
The Guild, while reacting to the sanctions placed on Trust TV, owned by Daily Trust Limited and BBC over a documentary on banditry in the country said even those who turbaned some bandits have not been dealt with by government
President of the Guild, Mustapha Isah, speaking at a workshop organised in Lagos by the Nigerian Guild of Editors with the theme: “Journalist and Digitalisation: The imperative of Good Corporate Governance”, said the government cannot be the accuser and the judge in its own case.
Isah expressed the Guild’s total opposition to the fine imposed on the media houses.
He said: “The government should stop threatening the media. Those who turban bandits are not being fined; why then should journalist who carry out their duties to the society be sanctioned.”
Isah further said the media has never been scrutinised in the country the way the present government is carrying on
“Even during military rule in Nigeria, it wasn’t this bad,” he said.
He advised media owners to embrace good corporate governance noting the media should not only task the government on accountability, but should also scrutinise itself.
Speaking at the event, Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu said his administration will continue to promote press freedom and good corporate governance, urging media practitioners to always regulate their activities in the digital space.
He also tasked the Guild of Editors to put a check on fake news, saying such news damage the society.