In the spirit of World Media Day, a call has been made to all and sundry to accord adequate respect and commendation to men of the press as members of fourth estate of the realm.
The Chairman, Abia State Chapter of Radio,Television and Theatre Arts Workers Union(RATTAWU), Comrade Arinze Lewachi, in an interview with Radio Nigeria Pacesetter FM , on Monday April 3, made this call. He extolled the invaluable contributions of the media in passing information to the people, stressing that a person was deformed if without information.
The Chairman decried the attitude of some people who looked down on members of the press unlike other professions, adding that the celebration of World Press Freedom Day instituted by UNESCO in 1993, should focus more on the welfare of the press in its enormous task of information dissemination.
Lewachi maintained that the sacrifices and hazards faced by newsmen were much, in which some of them were beaten, maimed, killed and assaulted while delivering their duties.
He therefore called for respect of the right of the press who are unfortunately amongst the least earners in the society.
Lewachi urged the public to make use of genuine media outfits rather than depending on social media which most of the time lacked authentic information.
He commended media men in their job and advised them to always present balanced stories to the citizenry, as well as being confident and dressing well while on assignment.
