AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
The representative of Oyo South at the National Assembly, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has stressed the need for improved welfare and safety of journalists nationwide.
Alli made the call in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Akeem Abas, in Ibadan on Friday in commemoration of the occasion of the 2024 World Press Freedom Day.
Acknowledging the roles of journalists in upholding democracy and fostering transparency, the lawmaker expressed concern for their safety in the line of duty.
In the statement, he urged both the government and the citizens to prioritise the protection of journalists.
The statement called for an enabling environment where journalists can work freely without fear of intimidation or harm, stressing that such was essential for the preservation of press freedom.
It also appealed to media proprietors to prioritise the welfare of journalists by ensuring better remuneration and working conditions.
According to it, considering the indispensable contributions of journalists to the society, fair treatment and recognition should be given to them.
The statement reiterated Alli’s unwavering commitment to nurturing the warm relationship between him and journalists across the nation.
It expressed the lawmaker’s pledge to collaborate with the media towards achieving a more vibrant and robust democratic society where press freedom thrives.
