WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY: LAI, WIKE ADMONISHE MEDIA ON FAIR REPORTING

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has appealed to the media to always ensure fairness, impartiality, truth and accuracy in reporting the activities of government, in line with the principles of responsible journalism.

The Minister made the appeal in Abuja on Thursday, in a statement to mark the 2018 World Press Freedom Day with the theme “Keeping Power In Check: Media, Justice and the Rule of Law.”

He said that as an important pillar of democracy, the media must purge itself of all prejudice in order to be able to hold all the levels and arms of government to account.

While commending the media for its role so far in promoting democracy in Nigeria, Alhaji Mohammed said the media should strive to operate above political influence and interference.

He said as the political parties and the nation in general prepare for another electioneering process, the media must ensure the transparency of the entire political process through unbiased and objective reporting.

The Minister expressed concern at how some vested political interests are exploring the media to promote divisions along ethnic and religious lines in the country, saying such unpatriotic conduct will not augur well for the nation’s unity and progress.

He said the government is not unaware of the effort of mischief makers to use the social media, in particular, to undermine the government and promote ethno-religious crisis, especially ahead of the forthcoming general elections.

Alhaji Mohammed, however, restated the commitment of the present administration to press freedom in the country, saying the administration would continue to ensure that journalists are able to carry out their duties unfettered

The Rivers State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bro Felix Obuah says the Nigerian Press deserves a pat on the back for its courage and resilience against the background of economic hardship and merge salaries for its practitioners.

The State PDP chairman noted that despite observable weaknesses, the Nigerian State still owes the press a lot for its role in nation building, stressing that democratic governance in the country would have been a nullity without the contributions of the press.

Bro Obuah, however, regretted that some sections of the Nigerian Press are yet to grow beyond mere information mercenaries for government officials and certain interest groups while others remain comfortable in the realm of pettiness.

According to the State PDP boss, the era of deadpan reporting has long given way for development based Journalism whereby real development projects and people-oriented leaders should be adequately reported to encourage the citizenry on their civic responsibilities.

Bro Obuah said if the press should live up to this responsibility, leaders like the State Governor, Chief Barr Nyesom Wike should be on the front burner of media reports because of his unrivalled developmental projects vis-à-vis his counterparts across the nation.

He said though the media have done appreciably well in acknowledging and recognizing Gov Wike for his numerous landmark achievements through awards of excellence, there is still need to give publicity to his rural developmental projects much more than is the case presently.

“While I congratulate and identify with you on the occasion of your World Press Freedom Day, I hope you will do better by reporting those who are genuinely diligent in their duties and prudent in management of resources entrusted to them like the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike. Happy World Press Freedom Day celebration,” Bro Obuah declared.