As Delta state government announced the restrictions of movement from residents and locking down of its borders with the drive of curtailing the Coronavirus, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called on security agencies to show understanding with media practitioners as the lockdown takes effect from midnight today.
This was contained in a statement jointly signed by its Council chairman, Michael Ikeogwu and the Secretary, Churchill Oyowe in Asaba.
The Councill appealed for civility in the conduct of security agencies in their dealings with media practitioners in the State.
Saying that both security agencies and media practitioners were partners in progress, the council called on journalists in the state to carry out their professional duties diligently and advised members of getting contact with any suspected victims of the pandemic.
The council charged journalists to ensure confirm stories before going to press and advised members to always move with valid identity in clearer identification in their professional duties.
“Let me also remind you our members on the need to always arm themselves with a valid identity card and be polite when you encounter security operatives, but I know that council members will always help in disseminating of information that would keep them informed about events happening around the world, especially the Coronavirus.
*I want to equally urge members of the public to ensure compliance with the stay-at-home order by the state government because the government of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is determined to fight this dreaded pandemic called COVID-19.
The council, therefore, appealed to the Delta State Government to look at the way of media practitioners by providing protective equipment.
It commended the state government for efforts so far made towards curtailing the spread and for the proactive measures put in place to avoid any reported case of the Coronavirus.
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