The Oyo state chapter of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), has argued that journalists in Nigeria should going forward be regarded as frontline workers.
The chairperson of the organization Comrade Ajibola mentioned this at a one-day capacity building that Oyo NAWOJ, the Oyo State Emergency Operations Center in Ibadan, and the World Health Organization jointly conducted (WHO).
She asserted that it is now necessary for all levels of government, security services, and development partners to consistently recognize journalists as frontline responders in times of crisis.
She noted that there is no question that journalists, like other professionals like medical staff and security officers, play crucial roles in times of emergencies as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, cholera, conflicts, and crises.
The Oyo NAWOJ chairperson said journalists should be given incentives like other professionals because they too played significant roles, especially during the heat of COVID-19.
“We need to recognise journalists as frontline workers during emergencies. Journalists should be seen and addressed as frontline workers and should be given hazard allowances,” she said.
“We report and do a lot of sacrifices and work during the COVID-19 period just like health workers and other professionals.”