The FCT Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists has urged the Federal Government to initiate financial bailout for media organisations that are unable to meet salary obligations to its staff.
This was contained in a communiqué by the Secretary of the council, Hajia Rafat Salami, at the end of the new executive council’s maiden congress in Abuja on Monday.
The communique said: “We the members of NUJ, FCT Council have called on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency initiate a financial bailout package for the Nigerian Media Industry.
“Particularly those who have been unable to meet their salary obligations to staff.
“As a result of the current economic downturn, a great number of media houses are finding it particularly difficult to survive in the market.”
According to the communiqué, many of them currently owe arrears of salaries ranging from three to 23 months.
It noted that journalists worked under intolerable conditions, adding that non-payment of salaries would further aggravate the situation.
It added: “In this wise, the union suggests conditional grants/loans to media owners/proprietors who owe staff within the sector with feasible repayment plans.
“This request is not for the sake of frivolities, but as a matter of importance considering the contribution of the media to the development of Nigeria side by side other sectors.
“These include the Nigerian banking sector, Nollywood, aviation, insurance, agriculture and even state governments that have all benefitted.”
It urged the Federal Government to address the perennial clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers along grazing routes in the country.
The communiqué also observed that such clashes had claimed thousands of lives.
It said: “These clashes like the Boko Haram insurgency have claimed many lives and serious destruction to sources of livelihood running into billions of naira.
“The union suggests to the Federal Government to immediately create and maintain grazing land and routes on dedicated lush pastures as well as to address the humanitarian crises in the regions.”
It stated that the Council commended the decision of the Federal Government against the devaluation of the naira.
“We, however, suggest that a clear economic policy be evolved by the Federal Government to tackle capital flight, over dependence on imported items and encourage massive exportation and local manufacturing,” it said.
The union opposed the current regime of increased electricity tariff of 40 per cent by the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission.
It said: “We equally note the poor quality of the services provided to Nigerians by the distribution companies, which speak clearly against upward adjustment of prices.”
NAN.