Editors Resolve to Build Confidence In EFCC, ICPC

Emmanuel Ukudolo

Daily Independent, Monday, September 11, 2006

Editors as gatekeepers in the channel of communication have resolved to build public confidence in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).

The declaration is contained in the Communiqué issued by the All Nigerian Editors’ Conference in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State that ended on Sunday.

Participants said it was a necessary for the Executive and Legislature at National and State levels to provide a good working environment for the media to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities.

The conference underscored the negative impacts of failure to pay salaries and other emoluments and called on proprietors of media houses to ensure that salaries of staff and other entitlements were paid as and when due. Participants also appraised the dangers inherent in appointment of non-professionals as editors and called on owners of media houses to ensure that only professionals are appointed in such sensitive positions.

Specifically, the editors called on the National Assembly to pass the Freedom of Information Bill without further delay, towards facilitating the role of the media in enhancing accountability, and good governance.

Signed by Messrs. Baba Halilu Dantiye and John Ndukauba, President and Ag. Secretary respectively, the communiqué condemns political violence, and appealed to all aspirants to eschew bitterness in their campaign.