The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ FCT Council, has cautioned that the Sunday shoot-out between operatives of the Department of State Security, DSS, and alleged detainees at the security headquarters, Abuja, should not serve as another opportunity for journalists to become targets for harassment and victimization.
The NUJ Council in a statement Tuesday in Abuja said the alarm became imperative following a report by a member of the union, Ms. Molly Kilete over a phone call to the management of The Sun Newspapers by the DSS on the cover story of the newspaper: Inside story of DSS shoot-out in Abuja by the reporter.
According to the statement signed by the chairman of the FCT Council, Comrade Chuks Ehirim, the NUJ said there was nothing in the story suggesting threat to national security; rather the reporter should be commended for her courage to fair reporting.
Ehirim stressed that the DSS and other security organs should take cognizance of the constitutional role of the media as guaranteed by the 1999 constitution and not do anything that would threaten the right of the media to hold government officials accountable to the Nigerian public.
The NUJ chairman urged the Service to be more open and transparent with information in order to dispel any form of speculation.
He also tasked journalists to cross check their facts and work closely with security agencies in the fight against terrorism.
