The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero,has lamented the poor working conditions in the media industry,saying hungry journalist can not speak truth to power in the country.
He said it was unacceptable that those who keep society informed are being subjected to indignity and hardship in a democratic nation.
“A hungry journalist is a silenced journalist. An insecure journalist cannot hold power to account,” he added.
He spoke while delivering a keynote address at the 2025 NUJ FCT Press Week held in Abuja on Tuesday, with the theme “Journalism in a Changing World: Press Freedom, Media, Democracy, and Society.”
He emphasized the need for urgent reforms to protect the rights and welfare of journalists in Nigeria, declaring that media professionals are workers who deserve dignity, fair pay, and protection.
He said the celebration of Press Week must move beyond rhetoric and serve as a platform to highlight the growing challenges confronting journalists in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
He punctured the increasing wave of disinformation, political interference, and economic hardship threatening the independence and safety of journalists. “We are in a time where truth is under assault, and the journalist is now, more than ever, a worker under siege,” he said.
He advocated the need for the introduction of a minimum wage framework for journalists, a special insurance scheme for frontline media professionals, and stronger union protections.
He further proposed the establishment of a media welfare monitoring taskforce involving the NUJ, NLC, civil society, and relevant government ministries to assess conditions of service across media houses.
He expressed the NLC’s readiness to partner with the NUJ at all levels to ensure the protection of journalists and the sustenance of press freedom in Nigeria.
Speaking, the Director of the China Cultural Center in Nigeria, Mr. Yang Jianxing, expressed delight at being part of the NUJ Press Week and reaffirmed China’s commitment to promoting journalism and media freedom.
He commended the theme of the celebration, saying it resonates strongly with the Chinese government’s belief in the pivotal role of journalists as chroniclers of national development.
He noted that the Chinese government values the contributions of journalists in shaping public understanding, fostering societal progress, and enhancing international cultural exchange.
“Journalists are the witnesses of our country’s development. They represent a very important sector and energy that helps to move our country forward,” he said.
Mr. Jianxing highlighted the recent dialogue between the NUJ and the China Cultural Center as a step in strengthening bilateral relations between Nigeria and China in the areas of media, tourism, education, and culture.
He pledged the support of the China Cultural Center and the cultural section of the Chinese Embassy in deepening collaborations with Nigerian media institutions.
Earlier in her opening remarks, the Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, stressed the importance of journalism in safeguarding democracy and promoting national cohesion.
She said the Press Week was not organised to merely mark a date on the calendar, but to honour the tireless efforts of journalists in upholding truth and transparency in society.
She highlighted the impact of global and local challenges, including technological shifts, the rise of artificial intelligence, and the deepening influence of social media on journalism practice.
She unveiled a range of ambitious projects aimed at transforming the union and improving the welfare of journalists in the FCT.
These include the modernization of the NUJ Congress Hall, completion of the Pentagon Hall, procurement of a coastal bus, establishment of a welfare scheme, and the development of the NUJ Journalists’ Village. She said these projects are central to her vision of an empowered and professional media workforce.
