Best investigative journalist to get N1m NUJ award

President, Nigeria Union of Journalists’, Chris Isiguzo PHOTO:Twitter

IPI engages editors, cautions against SLAPP suits

The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo, has introduced the award for the best investigative journalist of the year with the winner getting N1 million.

According to him, the introduction of the investigative journalist of the year award is part of the union’s Press Freedom Awards to celebrate the important principles of press freedom, defend the media from attacks on their independence and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Speaking at a press briefing, yesterday, Isiguzo indicated that since press freedom is an indispensable pillar in the architecture of democracy anywhere in the world, no democracy can thrive without citizen’s adequate access to transparent and reliable information.

MEANWHILE, worried by the incessant assault and intimidation of journalists with Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP).
The International Press Institute (IPI), Nigeria, has cautioned senior editors against falling prey to media oppressors.

At a two-day engagement in Kano, yesterday, experts urged the senior gatekeepers to be sensitive to copies’ capacity of provoking defamation of innocent characters before passing their copies.

The workshop tagged, ‘How to Avoid SLAPP Suits and Remain Ethical,’ speakers reminded participants not to, under any condition, lose sight of their constitutional responsibility of holding the government accountable.