The Radio, Television and Theatre Workers of Nigeria (RATTAWU) and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) have expressly warned the Federal Government’s over its plan to commercialise its media houses.
The media houses which includes Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) respectively.
This was stated in a statement jointly signed and issued on Tuesday in Abuja by the General Secretary RATTAWU, Mr Henry Odugala, , and National Secretary, NUJ Mr Shuaibu Leman,.
The duo authorities mentioned that the planned commercialisation of government media houses was revealed to them by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
The statement said the unions were mindful of the need to commercialise certain government-owned media organisations to ensure optimal productivity.
It, however, noted that it would be reckless to commercialise the media organisations without first engaging stakeholders to a brainstorming session and chart an acceptable way forward.
It urged that the planned commercialisation should be shelved for now until adequate consultations were made with the relevant stakeholders.
It added that to do otherwise, was to destablise media organisations that needed better funding and modern equipment for efficiency and productivity.