Desmond Iwuchukwu
As Nigeria joins the rest of the world in marking the 2023 World Press Freedom Day, the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ called for total media freedom in the country.
The United Nations set aside every third of May to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and to remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined under Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The theme of the 2023 Celebration is ”Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a Driver for all other human rights”
The Chairman of NUJ in Rivers State Stanley Job while speaking to our correspondent asked governments at all levels to enable the media to practice without interference in Nigeria.
Stanley Job also advised the government and those in power to see constructive criticism as a democratic process.
He said that criticism enables the government to access its performance.
Also speaking, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, has commended the various contributions of journalists, across the world particularly those who risk their lives to provide essential information to the public and those Journalists who lost their lives in the line of duty.
NAWOJ in a statement signed by its National President Ladi Bala and National Secretary Helen Udofa lamented the attack on the media and journalists across Nigeria and around the globe.
The statement also condemns the various unwarranted attacks meted on journalists in different parts of the country, in the course of carrying out their legitimate duties, sometimes despite properly identifying themselves as journalists.
NAWOJ, hereby, calls for the protection of Journalists, and the fostering of partnerships to defend Journalists from attacks, improve their welfare and guarantee freedom of expression within the overall human rights agenda.
The women journalists also said that the theme of this year’s celebration which is “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights”, is apt as it signifies the enabling element of freedom of expression to enjoy and protect all other human rights.
Meanwhile, the Civil Society in Rivers State says freedom of the Press remains the true reflection of the society.
The Chairman of Civil Society in Rivers State Enefaa Georgewill while speaking to our correspondent called for an end to the gagging of the media by the present administration at the national level.
Enefaa Georgewill said that many journalists and media houses have been attacked by those in power while performing their civic responsibilities.
He, however, called for total media freedom in the country to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
