Comrade Chris Isiguzo, the President of the Congress of African Journalists (CAJ) has condemned the killing of a radio journalist in Lesotho describing it as “a brazen onslaught on press freedom,”
He stated this while speaking at the 2nd African Media Conference in Lusaka, Zambia and called on the authorities in Lesotho to urgently investigate the killing and punish the perpetrators.
“We call on the authorities in Lesotho to urgently and exhaustively investigate the killing of the journalist and punish the perpetrators. Killing of journalists for doing their work is unacceptable, and lack of state action on such cases emboldens the enemies of press freedom.”
Isiguzo who is also the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ),
congratulated UNESCO and African Union for their commitment to press freedom and working in partnership with continental media organizations in rallying partners and mobilizing resources.
He said- “We laud the demonstrated commitment by UNESCO and the AU, and indeed all the respective organizations that made the Lusaka media convention successful and memorable. The resolutions provide us with a clear road map for action on securing press freedom in Africa,”
He assured all international and African partners of CAJ’s commitment to working closely with industry players to ensure the agenda of improving press freedom and advocacy for the realization of all other rights provided for under AU Agenda 2063 and international conventions are realized.
The CAJ President called for greater solidarity and commitment from all African media and journalists organizations saying only determined and all-inclusive efforts by all players would yield the desired results and strengthen the African Media Convention and other related initiatives.
“We congratulate the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) for securing the hosting of the 3rd African Media Convention and commit to mobilizing our more than 30 affiliate unions and associations to support and attend the convention in Ghana next year as part of rallying the journalists in the continent for this noble agenda.” Said the CAJ President.
It would be recalled that a popular radio presenter with Tsenolo FM in Maseru, Lesotho’s capital, Ralikonnelo Joki was gunned down on May 14 as he left the studio for his home.
No arrests have been made so far.