Last week, the state chairman of Delta State council of NUJ, Comrade Churchill Oyowe bared his fangs by removing members critical of his administration from the NUJ WhatsApp group.
Donning the toga of an emperor, Oyowe passed the message that he was above criticism.
A member drew the ire of Oyowe by writing in the loop his sentiments on the suspension of the NUJ secretary Comrade Victor Sorokwu over alleged corruption by the national body.
Mr Julius Oweh, a leading journalist and former editor of The Pointer newspaper counselled the chairman that the action was wrong, unprofessional and attack on freedom of expression.
Read Mr Oweh advice : ‘This WhatsApp group belongs to journalists. Removing member is an attack on press freedom. Let me leave you with a quote. “I may not like what you are saying but I will defend your right to say it.”
Churchill like mother superior in a nunnery suspended Oweh from the group saying that he would not take insults from journalists.
It is ironical and absurd that a journalist who should protect freedom of expression should be the one gagging the press.
The Pond News understands that journalists criticise public office holders in the mould of council chairmen, commissioners, legislators, ministers , governors and president and the heavens do not fall.
Freedom of expression and the press is the oxygen of democracy.
The moment that freedom is curtailed, signals the descent into dictatorship.
The Pond News calls on the national body of NUJ, journalists all over the world to call Oyowe to order.
The simple axiom is that if you don’t want to be criticized, don’t run for public office.
It is not too late for the council chairman to throw in the towel.
