Kaduna Young Journalists Association (KAYOJA) is an Association of young practicing Journalists work across mainstream and Digital Media Industries within and outside Nigeria but Kaduna indigenous only. The mission of the group is to rethink journalism through the new world order and ever changing dynamics of the profession. The Association has kicked against all forms of intimidation, molestation or harassment of journalists within Kaduna State and beyond.
The President of the Association Nuhu Basheer Masa who made the statements to mark this year's world international Press Freedom Day in Kaduna.
According to him, protecting the rights of journalists in Kaduna state and beyond is clamour for the professionalization of the journalism occupation in order to restore it's dwindling glory.
He added that , clamour for increasing young Journalists welfarism through the establishment of a National Journalism Trust Fund (NJTF) that will enhance free press,promote Media independence and pave way for national growth, progress and sustainable development.
"Having network of highly competitive young Journalists for national growth and development while protecting their rights,welfare and knowledge base ,is to ensure continues capacity building for young Journalists in order to keep them in tune with the ever changing dynamics of the profession."
"As young Journalists, let's centralize network in order to effect collaboration and partnership among journalists for the greater good" He Said
While stressing that there should be continues training in risk analysis and threat mitigating, first aid,secure communication, conflict sensitive journalism, Media laws and code of conduct among others.
Like last year,the international pres freedom day comes amidst of incessant cases of banditry, kidnappings,terrorism in Nigeria and some parts of the world like Sudan crises, Russia/Ukraine war etc..
He suggested that , there should be an agreement between government at all levels and Media owners to guard journalists' safety.
"Safety of journalists is the ability for journalists and Media professionals to receive,produce and share information without facing physical or moral treats"
Research revealed that,67 journalists were killed in 2022 ,a sharp increase from 2021 , report says a total of 67 journalists died around the world in 2022,a watchdog group said largely driven by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and civil unrest following the assassination of Haiti's president 25/01/2023
Another media reports, revealed that since Nigeria's return to democracy in 1999,at least 19 journalists have been killed mostly in questionable circumstances .
He said Journalists around the world are drastically and increasingly being targeted,intimidated,harassed and killed for their work. But one thing to know is journalism is not a crime.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna Young Journalists Association has called on Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Nigerian Union of journalists (NUJ) to ensure that all the privately owned media organizations within Kaduna and beyond are paying journalists monthly salary because like every responsible person, journalists also pay children school fees, house rent,eat food, among other basic need. The aforementioned unions should interven please so as those called journalists would stop behaving like street beggers.
Broadcast Houses mostly recruite unprofessional personel and give them IDCard to feed themselves as license beggers. To avoid such farestall, there's need for broadcast Houses especially private own to stop recruiting quacks in Media organization.