AKASE CONDEMNS IMPUNITY FOR CRIMES AGAINST JOURNALISTS
In commemoration of the “International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists”, as proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly for November 2nd every year, a top governorship aspirant in Benue State, Mr Terver Akase condemns the perpetration of horrible crimes against journalists, given the crucial social responsibility functions they perform to help transform the society.
The 2023 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP guber hopeful, expresses worry that an increasing number of journalists across the world, have continued to experience harassment, intimidation, maiming and even brutal assassination in their line of duty, an unfortunate development which he says is not in conformity with the UN proclamation.
Mr Akase who is the immediate past Chief Press Secretary to the Benue State Governor, describes journalists as critical actors, whose valuable contributions to propagating freedom of expression, democratic tenets, peace building, poverty eradication, social cohesion and global cooperation cannot be undermined in the 21st century.
He avers that as members of the fourth estate of the realm, who promote national unity and development as well as keep public officials in check for good governance, there is a compelling need to eliminate all forms of violent crimes against them.
The erstwhile government spokesperson acknowledges that journalists undertake essential services of informing and influencing citizens’ participation in public policies and social issues, hence attacks and crimes against them are not justified, as they have a damaging impact on public awareness and enlightenment.
Mr Akase condemns unequivocally, violent crimes against journalists such as torture, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and arbitrary detention both in conflict and non-conflict situations. He recalls the recent unfortunate case of the Vanguard newspaper Correspondent, Mr Tordue Salem who has been declared missing in Abuja and calls for his safe and unconditional release no matter the situation.
He emphasises that the world’s major issues such as corruption, environmental degradation, climate change, violent extremism, herdsmen terrorism, armed banditary, drug abuse, rape among others, cannot be frontally tackled if journalists are not allowed a safe environment to practice their profession to help address these challenges.
The PDP guber hopeful calls for cessation of impunity for abuses and crimes against journalists and urges men of the pen profession not to be deterred, but continue to demonstrate courage and bravery in carrying out their statutory obligations.
Nathaniel Nongu
Director of Media
Terver Akase Campaign Organization
November 2, 2021.
