Proposed Media Enhancement Bill ‘ll streamline journalism profession – NUJ President

The National President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Chris Isiguzo said the proposed Media Enhancement Bill would among other things stream journalism practice in Nigeria.

Isiguzo who made this known Wednesday during a courtesy visit by delegation of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) led by its President, Mr Muktar Sirajo in Abuja said the leaders of the Union in partnership with Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigerian (NPAN) and others have resumed serious work on a bill for the regulation of journalism practice in Nigeria.

He stated that the pending Bill was not just to deal with quackery, but streamline journalism practice and making it meet required international standards to conform with world best practices.

The visit saw NUJ and NIPR renew strong collaboration to fight quackery, misconducts and unethical behaviour in both professions.

This was even as it became clear that the NUJ had been worried over the menace and has, in partnership with some media related organizations commenced fine tuning of  a bill for the regulation of journalism practice in Nigeria.

Isiguzo noted that the Union was not only working to reposition journalism practice, but to end the divisive tendencies that have polarized the country along religious and ethnic lines as we don’t have any other country except Nigeria. .

Speaking earlier, National President of NIPR, Dr. Muktar Sirajo said the visit was for the purpose of collaborating with NUJ towards the success of its forthcoming “Citizens Summit” and also dealing with the issue of quackery in both professions.

Sirajo who called on NUJ’s leadership to step up actions against the impostors masquerading in different guises and bringing disrepute to journalism, also disclosed that the Institute has compiled names of fake Public Relations practitioners in the country, awaiting media publications and shaming.

According to NIPR President, both professions have been embarrassed by the unethical behaviour of quacks and other people illegally taking advantage of the two professions.

He said, ” a lot of people parading themselves as perception mangers and journalists are not professionals.  It is not today that quackery started in the professions. We need to synergize to kill the hydra-headed monster”.