Recession: Journalists worst hit by hard times – NUJ

A cross-section of journalists at an election collation centre

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has decried the current hardship faced by most journalists due to the prevailing and ongoing economic recession in the country.

Mr Rex Arum, Chairman of NUJ, Enugu State Council, who spoke in an interview in Enugu on Saturday, attributed it to weak financial standing of most journalists.

Arum noted that journalists in the country were the worst hit in the prevailing and ongoing hardship due to “their weak financial earnings and standing.

“This hard time is easily seen and felt among our members all over the country.

“Some, such as freelancers and stringers are not paid; while the commission that is due to them if at all, is not even coming any longer.

“Most of our members on paid employment are owed several months of salaries.

“While media establishments and organisations pay journalists a paltry wage as salary to go home with, after months of waiting for the same salary.

“It is disheartening that in this age of technology and information; a journalist working in hazardous and unfriendly environment go home with paltry salary,’’ he said.

Arum, however, urged the Nigerian Press Council and other journalism-related bodies as well as media organisations to review the current salary, wages and commission to reflect the present realities.

The NUJ chairman lauded Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for the present media-government harmony that exists in the state.

“Enugu State has continued to be a shining example, where the media and government parley for the development and betterment of the state and its residents,’’ he said.