Fight against oppression – MFWA to journalists

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), has charged African Journalists to continue their fight against the oppression that they face in their respective countries.

In a statement issued by Sulemana Braimah, the Executive Director, the Foundation stated that African journalists have for the past decade experienced much torture and abuse in their respective countries but this should not deter them. It should toughen them to remain resolute.

“The year 2019 and the last decade was not an easy period for journalists on the continent. Many colleagues lost their lives in the line of duty. Many others were imprisoned. Others were physically abused. But let us not be deterred [but rather] remain resolute,” the statement said.

“We know the crisis of sustainability facing our profession and industry. We know about the challenges posed by what has become known as fake news. We know of the challenge of dwindling public trust for the media. We certainly know about the challenge of the different forms of oppression by governments and organised groups around the continent. And we definitely know of the challenge of our safety as we go about doing our work,” the statement read further.

The foundation further encouraged journalists that one best way to confront these challenges that face them in their line of their duty was to serve in the interest of the ordinary people always through fearless, accurate, fair, factual and balanced reporting that expose the misdeeds of leadership against the welfare of the suffering masses.

For the challenges journalist face may be many, “but let us always remember that we face such arduous challenges not because we seek to enrich ourselves. It is because of the importance of our work to society and the threat we pose to those who seek to thrive on corruption and exploitation,” the MFWA added.

Source: GNA