Umuahia – The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has said that it will commence picketing of media houses not paying salaries to their members across the country with effect from May 1.
The mandate to commence the picketing is contained in a 14-point communiqué issued at the end of its National Executive Council meeting in Umuahia between April 22 and April 24.
According to the communiqué made available on Thursday in Umuahia, the leadership appeals to state governments to implement the 22 per cent weigh-in allowance for journalists.
The document, signed by Malam Shu`aibu Leman, the National Secretary of the union, urged the Federal Government to pay the arrears of the weigh-in allowance owed its media workers.
The union also appealed to the government to ensure security of life and property of Nigerians by addressing security challenges across the country.
The communique condemned the increasing spate of arrests of journalists, especially the four staff of the Leadership newspapers, describing the arrest as a siege on the media.
“The NUJ will not shy away from its responsibility in protecting the interest of journalists, members should carry out their duties in line with the ethics of the profession,’’ it said.
The union expressed the need for the review of the code of ethics for the NUJ to be in tandem with emerging realities in the media and in line with international best practises.
It re-affirmed the commitment of the union to the welfare of members, adding that the recent journalists of the year award initiated by the leadership of the union was meant to encourage journalists. (NAN)
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