The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahya, has urged improved welfare, stronger protection and higher ethical standards for media professionals in Nigeria, describing a free and independent press as the bedrock of democracy.
Comrade Yahya made the call while delivering a speech at the NUJ FCT Council Press Week 2026 in Abuja, stressing that the annual event should go beyond ceremony and serve as a genuine reflection and professional rebirth.
“Press Week is not merely a ceremonial event. It is a period of introspection, recommitment, and renewed advocacy for ethical journalism, press freedom, national development, and the welfare of media professionals across Nigeria,” he said.
He charged journalists, especially NUJ Members, to recommit to ethical reporting, press freedom, and national development.
The President acknowledged the mounting challenges confronting journalism in the era of rapid digital transformation, including the rise of Artificial Intelligence, citizen journalism and widespread circulation of misinformation and disinformation.
He also pointed out the growing security threats facing reporters on the job, while commending Nigerian journalists for their resilience and commitment to truth and public accountability.
“Journalists are custodians of democracy,” he said, adding that “a vibrant and independent press is essential to holding leaders accountable and protecting justice, transparency, and good governance. Without a vibrant and independent press, democracy itself becomes vulnerable.”
Yahya highlighted attacks, harassment, intimidation, poor remuneration, job insecurity and unsafe working environments as persistent threats that undermine quality journalism practice in the country.
“A journalist who works under fear, uncertainty, or hardship cannot effectively discharge the sacred responsibility of informing society,” he warned.
The president said the NUJ is engaging government institutions, media owners, development partners, and other stakeholders to prioritize journalists’ welfare and protection.
Emphasizing capacity building, he said the future of journalism belongs to practitioners who are adaptable, technology-savvy, fact-oriented, and ethically grounded.
“Our credibility remains our greatest asset,” he stated, urging reporters to resist sensationalism, political manipulation, ethnic bias, and unprofessional conduct.
He pledged the NUJ’s support for initiatives that strengthen fact-checking, digital literacy, investigative reporting, and ethical standards.
The Comrade President also appealed to the government at all levels to respect press freedom and protect democratic values, reminding officials that journalists are partners in nation building, not enemies of the state.
He urged security agencies to safeguard journalists as they perform lawful duties, noting that “democracy flourishes where the press operates freely without intimidation or fear.”
In closing, the NUJ president called on members to recommit to unity, mentorship, and preserving the dignity of the profession, and he paid tribute to veteran journalists whose sacrifices shaped today’s practice.
