Tbe Plateau State Government has condemned the recent harassment of journalists and burning of their vehicle when they went on assignment at Namu, Qu’an Pan Local Government Area.
14 Journalists who were in the entourage of Senator Ladi Nora Daduut (representing Plateau South Senatorial District in the National Assembly) to Namu, Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State were on Thursday attacked by suspected hoodlums.
Although no life was lost in the accident,Plateau State Chapter of NUJ said the Union’s Hummer Bus donated by the Plateau State Government in 2008 was burnt alongside the Senator’s pilot Hilux van.
Reacting to the incident in a statement on Sunday, Commissioner for information and communication, Dan Manjang, described the incident as one too many while commiserating with the Nigeria Union of Journalists and the Plateau State Council over the unfortunate incident.
He said “As members of the fourth estate of the realm, journalists have always been at the the receiving end and this calls for concern more so that they are a harmless group that continue to contribute their quota in developing the Nigerian polity.
“In the light of the above therefore, I hereby use this medium to commiserate with the Nigeria Union of Journalists in general and the Plateau State Councill in particular over the unfortunate incident.
“While I appeal for the relevant authorities to use all available professional means to track down perpetrators of this heinous act with the aim of punishing them, I would like to assure that the Plateau State Government which is journalists-friendly will look into their plight with a view of doing the needful.
He however enjoined the public to look at journalists as partners in progress and not enemies who are target of attacks at the slightest provocation.
According to Manjang, Employers of journalists must make it a deliberate policy to evoke an insurance policies for them because of the high risks they are exposed to.
“This will go a long way to instill confidence in them as they carry out their duties without fear of being molested.”
