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Tag: press freedom

  • Press freedom advocate seeks protection for Nigerian journalists

    Press freedom advocate seeks protection for Nigerian journalists

    • …calls on Senate to safeguard electronic transmission of results

    Nigerian journalist and Advocate for Press Freedom, Livinus Chibuike Victor, has strongly condemned the growing cases of intimidation, harassment, unlawful detention, and killing of journalists across Nigeria.

    Victor, in a statement in Abuja, described these actions as a dangerous trend capable of silencing truth, suppressing accountability, and weakening democratic institutions.

    He called on security agencies to uphold their constitutional responsibilities by protecting journalists rather than targeting them.

    He also urged the federal and state governments to create an enabling environment where media professionals can carry out their duties without fear of persecution or violence.

    “A nation where journalists are silenced is a nation where corruption thrives unchecked.

     The press must be allowed to function independently, professionally, and without intimidation. Press freedom is not optional-it is fundamental to democracy,” Victor added.

    He further appealed to civil society organizations, media stakeholders, and the international community to remain vigilant and continue advocating for electoral integrity and the protection of journalists’ rights.

    Nigeria’s democratic growth, he emphasized, depends not only on credible elections but also on a fearless and independent press committed to truth and accountability.

    Read Also: Temitope Adeoye calls for carbon credit awareness across Nigeria

    He called on members of the Nigerian Senate to rise above partisan interests and act in defence of democracy by guaranteeing the full implementation of electronic transmission of results in the 2027 general elections.

    Victor stressed that electronic transmission of election results is not a political favor but a democratic necessity.

    According to him, credible elections remain the foundation of national stability, public confidence, and international respect.

    He warned that any attempt to weaken, manipulate, or discard the electronic transmission process would erode public trust and further deepen citizens’ frustration with the political system.

    “The future of over 240 million Nigerians must not be subjected to opaque processes. Transparent and verifiable elections are the backbone of any functioning democracy. The Senate must stand on the side of history and protect the integrity of the 2027 elections,” he stated.

  • A new tone for press freedom

    A new tone for press freedom

    By Abdullahi M. Gulloma

    The relationship between those who guard the state and those who tell its story has always been delicate. One watches for threats in the shadows; the other shines light into public spaces. When mistrust grows between them, democracy suffers. When understanding emerges, citizens breathe easier. Nigeria has lived through both seasons, and recent events around the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, suggest that the country is entering a more stable chapter in that long and uneasy conversation.

    On December 19, Ajayi put his thoughts into writing. In a letter personally signed and sent to the president of the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria, Musikilu Mojeed, the SSS Director-General pledged to stand for fair treatment of journalists and to support an environment where media professionals can carry out their lawful work without fear. The letter was not prompted by a crisis or public outrage. It was a response to a commendation award conferred on him by the IPI Nigeria at its annual conference earlier in the month, but its tone and substance went beyond gratitude. It read like a statement of belief.

    “I will continue to champion fair treatment of journalists and create a conducive atmosphere for them to carry out their legitimate duties”, Ajayi wrote. He added that he had begun discussions with heads of other security agencies, urging them to place the safety and dignity of journalists high on their list of responsibilities.

    Words matter, but history teaches that actions matter more. For decades, Nigeria’s media community has known the SSS less for dialogue and more for fear. Arrests at odd hours, prolonged detentions and intimidation were familiar stories. This past made scepticism natural. That is why the response from IPI Nigeria was striking, not just for its praise, but for the detailed record it laid out.

    In a statement signed by its Secretary, Ahmed I. Shekarau, the IPI recalled that since Ajayi assumed office in late August 2024, the SSS had shown restraint, professionalism and openness. “Conflicts between the Service and the media are now resolved amicably through engagement rather than coercion,” the statement said, drawing a clear contrast with earlier years.

    The philosopher Hannah Arendt once observed that “power and violence are opposites; where one rules absolutely, the other is absent.” The shift described by IPI Nigeria points to a leadership choice that values authority predicated on dialogue instead of force. It is a choice that recognises journalists not as enemies of the state, but as part of the civic ecosystem that keeps the state honest.

    The examples cited by IPI Nigeria bring this shift down from theory to practical experience. Barely hours into Ajayi’s tenure, a journalist, Adejuwon Soyinka, was intercepted and detained in Lagos. Such an incident could easily have followed a familiar path of silence and delay. Instead, according to IPI Nigeria, once the matter was brought to the Director-General’s attention, he ordered the journalist’s release within hours. Speed, in this context, signalled that the old reflexes were no longer automatic.

    Another case bore deeper historical wounds. Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre, had for decades endured repeated harassment at Nigeria’s borders due to an SSS watch-list entry dating back to the 1980s. Successive assurances under past administrations failed to end the ordeal. When the issue reached Ajayi, IPI Nigeria said he acted swiftly to resolve it.

    Even in moments when the SSS felt wronged, the approach under Ajayi appeared thoughtful. In the case involving Order Paper, where a staff member was arrested over a report alleging that the SSS invaded the National Assembly to influence leadership change, the Director-General ordered administrative bail once informed. Through engagement, the matter was resolved, charges were withdrawn and the case was closed. The message was that errors in reporting should be addressed with facts and conversation and not detention.

    A similar posture emerged in February during tensions over media reports on the Lagos State House of Assembly crisis. IPI Nigeria acknowledged that the SSS had reasons to be aggrieved but noted that the Director-General chose patience and collaboration.

    Perhaps the most telling moment came in October. Without external pressure, Ajayi ordered disciplinary action against officers involved in the arrest and detention of two journalists from Jay 101.9 FM in Jos. He also directed that a formal apology be issued to the journalists and their organisation. In public service, apologies are rare. When they come, they carry the power to humanise institutions that often appear faceless and distant.

    Writers have long argued that accountability begins with humility. Chinua Achebe once noted that “the trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership.” Leadership, in this sense, is not about perfection but about the willingness to openly correct wrongs. Disciplining erring officers and offering an apology signalled that internal standards matter, and that authority does not shield misconduct.

    It was against this backdrop that IPI Nigeria decided to honour Ajayi at its 2025 Annual Conference on December 2 in Abuja. The IPI Nigeria made it clear that the commendation was not an end in itself. It was recognition and encouragement. “We do so not only to acknowledge his commendable press freedom credentials but also to encourage him to do even more and to inspire other officials, institutions, and organisations to emulate his example,” IPI Nigeria said.

    Recognition soon reached the highest office in the country. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu congratulated the Director-General of the SSS on the award, welcoming it as evidence that the SSS was changing its narrative. The president commended Ajayi for upholding citizens’ rights and operating within the law, noting that the SSS was building a climate of dialogue and engagement with the public.

    President Tinubu urged other security agencies to see the media as partners rather than adversaries. In doing so, the president echoed the words of Thomas Jefferson, who famously argued that a free press was essential to liberty. While Jefferson spoke from a different century and context, the principle endures: societies thrive when information flows freely and responsibly.

    The president also encouraged the SSS to sustain its efforts to protect journalists, reminding all that the constitution empowers the media to hold government officials accountable. The public presidential endorsement matters. It shows that respect for the press is not only the choice of a single agency head, but a principle woven into the wider culture of governance.

    Read Also: Shettima: Borno mosque attack will not undermine Nigeria’s resolve on security

    For journalists across the country, these developments offer cautious hope. Hope is not built on blind faith, but on observable patterns. The early release of a detained reporter, the clearing of a decades-old watch-list, the withdrawal of charges after dialogue and the disciplining of erring officers are concrete markers. They suggest an understanding that national security and press freedom are not rivals locked in a zero-sum game, but parallel duties that serve the same public.

    Psychologists remind us that institutions, like individuals, develop habits. Changing habits requires consistent choices. Ajayi’s pledge to engage other security agencies on journalist protection hints at an attempt to spread a new habit across the security sector. Whether this effort succeeds will depend on persistence and example.

    As the country continues its democratic journey, the media will remain critical, sometimes uncomfortable and often screaming. That is its role. Security agencies will remain vigilant, cautious and sometimes suspicious. That is theirs. The challenge is not to erase these differences, but to manage them with respect.

    In recognising Ajayi, the IPI Nigeria did more than hand out an award. It held up a mirror, showing what is possible when leadership chooses conversation over intimidation. President Tinubu’s endorsement reinforced that image, placing it within the wider story of governance reform.

    The German philosopher Jürgen Habermas spoke of the “public sphere” as a space where citizens debate issues freely. Journalists are custodians of that space. When security agencies protect rather than shrink it, they serve democracy in its truest sense.

    Nigeria’s story is still being written, line by line, headline by headline. The pen and the badge will continue to meet at tense moments. But recent chapters suggest that they can meet without hostility, guided by law, conscience and mutual respect. If that path is sustained, the reward will not belong to any single institution. It will belong to the citizens whose right to know and right to be safe are finally treated as equally sacred.

    •Gulloma is a journalist and can be reached at abdulgulloma@yahoo.com

  • NUJ FCT Chair Ike salutes workers, demands press freedom, fair conditions

    NUJ FCT Chair Ike salutes workers, demands press freedom, fair conditions

    As Nigerians join the rest of the world to mark International Workers’ Day, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Comrade Grace Ike, has praised the hard work and dedication of workers.

    Ike used the opportunity to also call for greater press freedom and better working conditions for journalists.

    In her May Day message, Ike spoke about the struggles many workers — especially journalists — are facing due to the current economic situation. 

    She echoed this year’s theme: “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the Midst of Economic Hardship.”

    “Workers’ Day is not just a time to honour the value of work, but also a time to recommit ourselves to protecting the civic space — a space where every voice matters, where truth is defended, and where rights are respected,” she said.

    Ike highlighted the tough times Nigerian workers are going through, mentioning the rising cost of living, job insecurity, and limited opportunities. 

    She warned that these challenges not only affect people’s livelihoods but also threaten the very freedoms that support democracy.

    Read Also: Akume urges religious leaders to champion national unity

    “The media plays a vital role, now more than ever. Journalists must continue to speak out, hold leaders accountable, and protect the voices of the vulnerable. We must defend press freedom, push back against censorship, and fight for fair treatment at work,” she said. 

    She also called on all sectors, from the government to private employers and civil society, to support workers by creating better working environments.

    “Let’s not allow these economic struggles to take away our rights or silence us. Instead, let our difficulties unite us in building a fairer Nigeria where every worker has a real chance to thrive,” she urged. 

    Ike made a strong appeal for unity and action.

    “On this Workers’ Day, I ask everyone, from the government to employers, to stand by us. Let’s protect our freedoms, invest in our people, and turn workers’ sacrifices into real progress for our country,” she said. 

  • Rights group partners NUJ on press freedom

    Rights group partners NUJ on press freedom

    International rights organization, Avocats Sans Frontieres (ASF), has announced plan to collaborate with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in enhancing press freedom in Nigeria.

    This was made known when a delegation led by the member of the board of the ASF, Ivan Paneff, paid the National Secretariat of the NUJ a courtesy visit on Monday.

    Paneff indicated commitment to enhancing digital rights as he said such e-rights project will establish mechanisms that ensure independent and fair access to justice, protecting fundamental human rights of Journalists in Nigeria.

    This, he said, will also ensure legal aid and assistance to vulnerable individuals, such as victims of human rights violations, before national and international jurisdictions.

    While stressing on the National conference that is underway, he underscored the importance of capacity building through training and collaboration with local partners.

    He cited the advantage of the International Institute of Nigeria (IIJ) on digital rights and data security. 

    He said, “It is important for the citizen with your help or assistance to know how to protect their electronic rights and the dangers and advantages of using digital tools.

    “I learnt you have a school here and would like to hear you speak on that and we see how we can associate with the school for the next future because the guideline of the project is to ensure sustainability.”

    He advised journalists to check their sources while using Artificial Intelligence to generate their data.

    “In other words AI is a very good tool for us but ethics of journalism are necessary,” he said.

    Also speaking, the Country Director, Avocats San Frontieres, Mrs Angela Uzoma, disclosed the continued collaboration with the NUJ with a component of the project focusing on press freedom hence the concept of digital rights for the press. 

    She said, “Our focus on the project is to ensure safe space online for people to engage particularly journalists knowing the crucial role journalists play in every democracy and also see what transpired lead up the general elections in Nigeria and as we continue to monitor what is going on.

    “Holding government accountable, we see how the digital space plays a key role in ensuring that they have space to speak up for journalists to put up their report on cases of harassment, arrest, intimidation against journalists.

    “So one of the things we are doing now at the e-right project is that we have the legal aid that provides legal aids to journalists and during the last meeting with the immediate past president of the NUJ we urged the NUJ to refer cases of harassment is journalists.

    “We have team of lawyers who are trained to take up this cases and so far we have taken up this cases in Lagos and Kano.

    “One of the things we will urge journalists to do is to select legal representation, partner with organizations like us and be patient because if executives goes after them and they are forced to make apology then what that does is that it has a shocking effect on journalism in the country unless you fabricated your story.”

    Responding, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Comrade Alhassan Yahya, commended the ASF for the visit and investing in Nigerian journalists.

    He assured the organization that the NUJ will be at the forefront in creating more visibility on the project.

    He called on the ASF to involve the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ) in its partnership for more capacity building for journalists and urged them to ensure sustainability.

    “NUJ is the mother of all practicing journalists in Nigeria with 36 state councils. Our job is very simple and I want to assure you that NUJ will continue to work with you. 

    “Let me thank you most sincerely for investing in Nigeria. If you go through the cyber crime act it is one act that is hindering the way we operate as Journalists in Nigeria and I think it’s high time for all of us to stand firm towards reviewing such act. 

    “At the same I am assuring you that we will do everything humanly possible to file cases of e- digital issues to your organization because I am aware you have lawyers who are willing and ready to defend journalists. 

    “We have the IIJ, an institute belonging to the NUJ with the sole aim of training and retraining journalists across the country. 

    If you look at this place it is very vast land and in the area of sustainability we will do everything possible to sustain what you are doing. 

    “We are trying to see how to restructure the institute and own our radio station. That radio station will go a long way to ensure persons coming in will learn practical aspect of our profession and above all it will be used as a rallying point to make sure Nigerians journalists are the best to protect, promote and hold government accountable and also citizens accountable. 

    “We are assuring you that the councils in your project will work with you to achieve your project. The Chairman of the NUJ FCT is here and I am assuring you that your organization will achieve your goal and let us ensure there is the concept of sustainability. 

    “It is also important to ensure citizens understand electronic rights and NUJ will be at the forefront to create more visibility,” he added 

    Present at the gathering was the National Secretary of the Union, Achike Chudu; Deputy National Secretary; the NUJ FCT Council Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike; Vice Chairman Yahaya Ndambabo; Secretary of Council, Jide Oyekunle and other members of the AFS France delegation.

  • IPI: Press freedom remains strong in Nigeria, Information Minister declares

    IPI: Press freedom remains strong in Nigeria, Information Minister declares

    The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has described President Bola Tinubu as a firm believer in media freedom and the protection of Nigeria’s civic space. 

    Idris also said despite occasional challenges, the press remains largely free in Nigeria, especially under the President Tinubu’s administration.

    The minister stated this in Abuja on Wednesday at the 2024 Annual Conference of the International Press Institute with the theme “Democracy, Media Freedom and the Imperative of Protecting the Nigerian Civic Space”. 

    He said: “Now I am not saying that there have not been challenges and threats here and there, but on the whole, Nigeria has enjoyed an openness and freedom that has seen the welcome proliferation of press organizations across print, broadcast and digital media. 

    “Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office in May of 2023, and since I assumed office as Minister of Information and National Orientation in August of that year, we have asserted and reiterated our commitment to ensuring and expanding the freedom of the Nigerian press. Every time there has appeared to be a threat to this freedom, I have personally taken it upon myself to ensure that due process prevails and that the fundamental rights of the press are respected. 

    “The President is a firm believer in media freedom and the protection of Nigeria’s civic space. Not only has he been a media entrepreneur himself, but he has also earned himself a place in history as one of the champions of the pro-democracy movement that saw the permanent end to military rule in Nigeria,” he said. 

    The minister said President Tinubu places a high premium on reforming and strengthening the judiciary in order to guarantee the existence and protection of fundamental rights that define the proper functioning of Nigeria’s civic space, including freedom of speech, freedom of association, and other constitutionally enshrined liberties.

    Read Also: Journalists demand legal reforms to safeguard press freedom

    Idris, however, emphasized that the civic space is not solely about freedoms but also about responsibilities, including showing respect and accommodation to all stakeholders.

    “It is about understanding that for every right there is a corresponding responsibility, and that freedom does not come unbridled. It is knowing that media freedom involves knowing and acknowledging the immense power that the press wields, as shapers and molders of public opinion and the permanent public record, and not abusing this power,” he said. 

    The Minister stressed that the media should create room for healthy debate and not to demonize those with contrary opinions or views. 

    “At the same time, there is ample room for holding institutions to account, whether public or private. And yes, those elected and appointed to public office must always understand that they keep these offices in trust for the people, and owe it to these owners to be accountable at all times. These truths can and must all coexist, if we want to forge a stronger democracy, as the foundation for the strong and prosperous Nigeria of our dreams,” he said.

  • President Tinubu committed to press freedom, says Information Minister

    President Tinubu committed to press freedom, says Information Minister

    … parliament to review moribund media laws, says speaker Abbas 

    The Minister of Information and Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, has expressed the commitment of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to always ensure the freedom of the press.

    He said this at a Press Freedom and Good Governance Awards organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Abuja on Saturday night.

    He said the president, being a product of free press himself, would never do anything that would impede the press from carrying out its constituonal role of holding the government accountable and ensuring good governance.

    This was as the speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbas, expressed the commitment of the parliament to review moribund media laws in order to bring them in tandem with modern realities and democratic ethos and principles. 

    Represented by the chairman of the committee on media, Hon Akin Rotimi, he said the 10th House recognises the integral place of a free and responsible press in the activities of government resulting in its resolve to strengthen media freedom and operations through their legislative agenda.

    Malagi said democracy cannot survive without a free press, as he urged the Nigerian media to always celebrate itself.

    The minister also charged the Nigerian press with the responsibility of combating misinformation and fake news especially with the prevalence of social media.

    Read Also: Who has bewitched our beloved America?

    He urged that the media space must maintain its sanctity for the development of the country.

    He said: “The Nigerian press that has always been free will remain free by God’s grace.

    “The Nigerian press will continue to be free.I know that we have had some challenges especially in the last couple of weeks concerning one journalist who has had some problems with the security agencies.

    “That problem has been solved or is being solved. I’m being reminded someone told me today again that there’s another one. We are also working to ensure that that one is also resolved.

    “Their work will continue unhindered and interrupted. The message that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given you right from the time I was appointed as minister is that he is also a product of free press and therefore he would not allow during his tenure for free press to be trampled upon. 

    “Only yesterday the world celebrated the press freedom day and this year’s theme has to do with environment. For those of you in Abuja and beyond we had a live press conference at the national press center to commemorate that day. But someone made a very important remark that it was only one newspaper that actually the world press freedom day was reported on its front page. 

    “And I felt that was a very big challenge. You cannot be celebrating politicians and people in other profession and when it comes to your own you forget to tell the world that today is indeed your day.

    “I am happy that today more that 11 national newspapers and virtually all the television stations and radio stations around the country have recognized that and have lived up to that expectation.

    “I urge you that as you celebrate others, don’t also forget to celebrate yourselves. It is is important for the pracitioners of the media in Nigeria to recognise that they are occupying a very important position. Democracy can never thrive without free press. 

    “So even when political leaders tell you they want to ensure press freedom, it is important for you to remind us all the time that indeed the press needs to be free so that everyone would enjoy the dividend of democracy.

    “I made a solemn pledge on the first day of assumption of duty that this indeed would be one the best times for media pracitioners in this country because we would say it exactly as it is for you to report. Press freedom is very important to uphold. 

    “Freedom of expression is something that nobody should toy with. But I keep telling us also, reminding us that your freedom also has to go with enormous responsibility. You cannot allow purveyors of main, disinformation, and fake news to occupying your space. 

    “It is so easy for anyone now to pick his phone or computer and say something or write something that put this country in problem. Of course fake news is not just a Nigerian problem. it is is a world problem and the world over, all pracitioners of the media are coming together to find a common solution to that. 

    “And I am glad to report that UNESCO is coming up with a guide that would help all of us especially pracitioners in the social media to see that their work is done in a way and manner that is factual, honest and transparent and patriotic and also accountable to all Nigerians. 

    “Whatever you say or do, you have to remember that you have a country to build, despite whichever side you belong. Purveyors of falsehood cannot be your friends. They are your enemies. You cannot says what is not right and claim that you are exercising freedom of expression. Your rights and other people’s rights should align.

    “Your own right would stop where other people’s begin. My message here today is that much as government is trying to ensure we have enabling environment for all of you to practice this profession freely and unhindered, the responsibility is incumbent on all of us to also ensure that whatever we say, write and project is also truthful in the interest of our country.”

    The speaker, Abbas, who presented the keynote address, said as critical partners in the pursuit of good governance and national development, the House has remained steadfast in providing various media organizations in the country including the social media outfits and bloggers, an enabling environment to cover, report and analyze House’s activities in an unencumbered manner. 

    The keynote address was on “The Nexus Between Press Freedom and Good Governance.”

    Abbas said: “We have also related with the media in an open, transparent and accountable manner because this parliament is People’s House dedicated to legislative processes capable of stimulating masses welfare and socio-economic development of our great nation, Nigeria

    “Press freedom and good governance are intricately linked, forming a symbiotic relationship that is essential for the functioning of a healthy democracy. Press freedom ensures that the media can operate independently, holding those in power accountable and serving as a watchdog for the public interest. When the media are free to report without fear of censorship or reprisal, they can shine a light on government actions, policies, and decisions, thereby fostering transparency and accountability.

    “In a society where press freedom thrives, the media play a crucial role in checking the excesses of those in government. Journalists have the leverage and courage to investigate and expose corruption, abuse of power, and other malpractices within the government. By acting as a check on governmental power, the media help prevent authoritarianism, promote adherence to the rule of law, and safeguard democratic principles.”

    Also speaking at the event, the governor of Benue state, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, urged journalists to continue live up to their mandate without fear or favour.

    He said everyone has a role to play in in the sustenance of democracy in the country and lauded the efforts of the Nigerian press in the discharge of their duty.

    He said: “A journalist has a life that cannot be easily understood. If you’re not transparent, if you’re not responsible, if you are not up to defending the masses and human rights, you can never be a friend of a journalist because they will expose you.

    “A journalist is a student of a critical school not only of criticism, but ensuring what what the society must have, should have. And everyone is a member of the society and so should also go all round, safe life, same justice, and same death of ownership, not only of the earth, but only of the society but of life general.

    “What you do to us tonight, is way beyond tonight. I am emotionally indebted to what this organization is elated to do because when you work, having known that you’re doing it not to be recognized. You are doing it because it is a duty call. 

    “You are doing it because it is a divine obligation for you to do just what you are doing. And then someone watching from somewhere sees it, records it, acknowledges it, it is something of huge magnitude. 

    “I’ll never stop saying this. We all have a role to play in democracy and democracy must be fought for, democracy must be defended. Good governance is a very simple way to defending democracy. I remain indebted to this organization and to all people of goodwill out there who are at tenets and different platforms of defending democracy,” he said 

    National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Dr Chris Isiguzo called on the government at all levels to support the press to bring about good governance.

    “Journalists are at the forefront of the battle against environmental degradation, using the pen and the camera to raise awareness, expose environmental injustices and advocate for sustainable solutions. It is through their courageous reporting that we can hope to mobilize action and effect change for the betterment of our planet and future generations.

    “The impact of journalism cannot be overstated. It is the journalist who brings to light the stories that matter, who gives voice to the marginalized, and who holds the powerful accountable. It is the journalist who stands as a sentinel against tyranny and oppression, who champions the cause of justice and human rights. In every corner of our nation, journalists are the unsung heroes, the torchbearers of truth and freedom.

    “We gather to honor the brave men and women who have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of truth, justice, and freedom, let us also reaffirm our commitment to press freedom and good governance. Let us recognize that press freedom is not a privilege but a right, not a luxury but a necessity. Let us pledge to defend and protect the freedoms that we hold dear, for they are the foundation upon which our democracy rests.

    “At the same time, good governance is not merely an abstract concept; it is the bedrock upon which our society is built. It is the guarantee of fairness, transparency and accountability in the conduct of public affairs. The Good Governance Awards that we present tonight serve as a testament of our commitment to promoting good governance and holding our leaders accountable,” he said.

  • We will not trample on rights, press freedom in fight against fake news, says Minister

    We will not trample on rights, press freedom in fight against fake news, says Minister

    The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that it will not trample on people’s right and press freedom in the fight against fake news and disinformation in the country.

    The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja.

    Idris called on Nigerians to always “promote the truth and nothing but the truth”.

    “We must be in the fore front of advocating for truthful information all the time. Everything that is fake should not be promoted.

    “This is because, it can lead to anarchy and destruction of lives and properties. And by the way, nobody will want his home, country, state or nation to be in taters because somebody is encouraging fake news.

    “Fake news should be condemned in all its ramifications. I have said that it is important for all of us to be careful in the way we navigate these waters. We know that we don’t want fake news,” he said.

    Read Also: Fake news publishers risk prosecution, online publishers’ president warns

    The Minister further explained that there are people who are using so many platforms to provide credible information, adding that such is desirable and should be emulated.

    “So, we must collectively come together and see ways and means by which these fake news can be tackled without necessarily trampling on the rights of the the people, free press and freedom of information,” he said

    The minister said that Nigeria will key into the strategies and best practices to be adopted by the international community in the curtailment of fake news vendors.

    (NAN)

  • Press freedom not negotiable in Nigeria – Dogara

    The Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has said that press freedom in the country is not negotiable in spite of all the direct violence and other challenges facing journalists.

    Dogara said this on Saturday at a two-day conference organised by the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism, to mark the Press Freedom Day in Abuja.

    The theme of the conference is: “Press Freedom in Nigeria – Violent Extremism, Rule of Law and the Media.’’

    The conference was organised with the support of the British Council and the European Union (EU).

    Dogara also described those who attacked the media through fake news as the “enemies of the people’’.

    He said that they were bent on eroding the credibility of the press, saying they were as dangerous as those perpetrating violence against journalists.

    The Speqker pledged the support of the parliament to the Nigerian press in its efforts to uphold fairness, objectivity and truth.

    “As legislators, we will always stand up and speak out for pressmen and media outfits that uphold the ethics of fairness, objectivity, truthfulness and patriotism in their practice.

    `I hope the 9th Assembly will dedicate itself to enacting enabling laws that will prioritise the protection and welfare of journalists to enable them do their work democratically.

    “The theme of this year’s celebration is most apt as Nigeria now faces one of the worst periods of insecurity manifesting in violent extremism, rampant cases of kidnapping, cattle rustling.

    “Herder/Farmers violent conflicts and murderous campaign of bandits across Nigeria. These are major challenges to media practitioners.

    “The media must constantly balance the need to inform the citizens with their equally weighty responsibility to ensure that their reports do not contribute to exacerbating an already dangerously tense and fragile situation.

    “In all nations of the world, the citizens appreciate the role of the press to inform, educate and entertain as well promote accountability of the government to the people,’’ the lawmaker sai.

    In his accessment of the relationship between government and the press in Nigeria under the present dispensation, he described it as banal.

    “We are all witnesses to recurring examples of coercion,  threats, brutality,  arrests, incarceration and media shut down perpetrated by the state against journalists and their establishments.

    “Instances of these draconian measures adopted by state actors abound during the recent elections held in parts of the country and the general elections,’’ he said.

    Dogara, however, said that the organised press media in Nigeria had largely acquitted itself creditably, saying it had waged many memorable campaigns against tyranny and corruption.

    “Our media practitioners definitely deserve some applause.

    “But we will do better, if we never stop documenting and exposing all cases of oppression of journalist by enemies of open society who masquerade as democrats.

    “If we never cease to demand that those in power must halt efforts to curtail press freedom and freedom of expression and above all, continue with courage to bring the laws and hold those in power to account,” Dogara stressed.

  • NGE to govt: create legal environment for press freedom

    THE Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has urged the Federal Government to create an enabling legal environment for press freedom.

    It also called on the government to give special attention to the role of an independent judiciary in ensuring legal guarantees for press freedom and the prosecution of crimes against journalists.

    NGE President Funke Egbemode and its General Secretary Victoria Ibanga spoke through a statement issued yesterday felicitating with journalists and friends on the occasion of the  2018 World Press Freedom Day.

    They said the day was an occasion to congratulate journalists around the world, especially those in Nigeria and Africa on their resolve to weather the storm to remain afloat, in spite of harsh economic conditions and environment.

    The statement said:  “This year’s event calls for sober reflection as it also affords us the opportunity to assess the state of press freedom, state of the media in our country and empathise and pay tribute to our colleagues who have lost their lives in the course of performing their Constitutional responsibility, as well as those in different prisons all over the world.

    “Flowing from the theme of this year’s celebration, “Keeping Power in Check: Media, Justice”, we join all well-meaning organisations such as the United Nations (UN) to call on the government to create an enabling legal environment for press freedom and give special attention to the role of an independent judiciary in ensuring legal guarantees for press freedom and the prosecution of crimes against journalists.

  • ‘Democracy can’t thrive without press freedom’

    ‘Democracy can’t thrive without press freedom’

    Democracy cannot thrive where there is no press freedom, United States Consul General in Nigeria, Mr F. John Bray, has said.

    According to him, the media is key to holding the government accountable and in setting public agenda.

    “We strongly believe that media freedom is vital to a thriving democracy,” he said.

    Bray, a former journalist-turned diplomat, spoke in Lagos during a two-day workshop for media practitioners.

    Its theme was: Basic tools for investigative journalism in the digital age.

    It was organised by the U.S. Embassy and Consulate and was facilitated by a Senior Investigative Analyst Jeffrey Young and Digital Managing Editor Kathleen Struck, both of the Voice of America (VOA) .

    Bray said: “As a former journalist, I understand that your work as a reporter carried a tremendous amount of responsibility.

    “As reporters, you aren’t just gathering and issuing reports. You set the public agenda by what you publish and the frequency with which you put out stories of social importance.

    “World over, journalists have used their craft to call government and corporations to account for wrongdoing, secret practices, and even corruption, often leading to reform.

    “Good journalism shapes public knowledge about key social issues. Doing this job effectively, in a fast-paced, technology-driven world requires cutting edge skills.”

    Bray, who has a Master of Science degree in Journalism from Northwestern University, said the U.S. Mission has funded training programmes for journalists on topics such as investigation, election reporting, and media ethics.

    “The US government is committed to initiatives that build media capacity in Nigeria. These workshops and US-based training opportunities such as the International Visitor Leadership Programme and other programmes demonstrate our commitment to deep partnership that we have long enjoyed with Nigeria,” he said.

    Participants, drawn from broadcast and print media organsations, were exposed to online tools that aid investigative journalism. They were taught data driven-journalism, use of social media platforms in news distribution, video editing, among others.