Insecurity: Imo govt promises to protect media workers, others

Imo State Commissioner for Homeland Security and Vigilante Affairs, Dr. Ugorji O. Ugorji, at the weekend, said the government has put in place strategies to protect all practising media workers in the 27 local councils of the state.

Ugorji, disclosed this in a paper he presented at the first anniversary of Media Week seminar /dinner and awards, organised by the Association of Imo State Radio and Television Presenters (AIR-TP) in Owerri.

He spoke on “Security and Strategic Communication: Towards a Partnership between the State and Broadcasters /Presenters,”.

Other resource persons at the event included Prof. Samuel Ezeanyika, of the Imo State University, Owerri, who spoke on “Broadcast Industry, Academic and Professional Opportunities: Challenges, Prospects and Perspectives;” a retired Director of General of the Imo Broadcasting Corporation, Alex Nwahiri, who spoke from the United States via webinar, on the topic, “The TV/ Radio Presenter: the Most Critical Actor in the Media Industry.”

Ugorji commended the president of the association, Jerry Osuji, and his colleagues for the programme.

He promised the government would ensure all journalists in Imo State are protected and not harassed unduly, by security personnel and men of the underworld.

He advised the journalists to report any case of threat, cautioning against reporting any unverified information that poses security threat.

He assured: “You are expected to present verified information on security matters with caution. Imo State government is fighting insecurity frontally. If you get threatened by the security agencies, get to us. We know what we can do to protect you. I have the contacts of the Police and Army. We would get across to them accordingly.