A former Governor of Enugu State, Dr.Chimaroke Nnamani, has showered encomiums on Nigerian press for remaining steadfast in protection and promotion of democracy in spite of enormous challenges.
Nnamani, who represents Enugu-East in the Senate, in a goodwill message to Nigerians to commemorate this year’s International Democracy Day in Abuja, said Nigerian press had been resolute as a critical pillar for sustenance of democracy.
The United Nations ( UN) General Assembly in 2007 declared Sept.15 every year, as democracy day to encourage governments to strengthen and consolidate democracy across the world .
The theme of this year’s event is “Importance of Media Freedom to Democracy, Peace and Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”.
Nnamani said the day offered opportunity to discuss the state of democracy in the country.
He, however, said Nigeria was ranked 129 out of 180 by Reporters without Borders, down nine spots from its ranking of 120 in 2021.
This, he said, was due to a variety of factors, including press safety, which increased by harassment, pressure, and even threats to life and other factors like government censorship and influence over media contents.
“In order to improve our press freedom, we must create an environment where journalists can work most effectively .
“They must sustain the indomitable spirit Nigerian press is known for over the years.”
Nnamani cautioned that physical and online attacks on journalists would only make the country intolerable and impossible for its citizens to live in.
According to him, those who intend to harm or harrass journalists should instead take other constructive and enlightening approaches, such as offering an insightful and constructive points of view.
“I must assume responsibility for reminding the media of their contributions to the development of the nation and pleading with them to continue steadfastly advancing media pluralism.”
This, they can do by educating the public and empowering them to make better decisions, a diverse (pluralistic) media can hold good government accountable.
” To get a comprehensive perspective and avoid endangering our social and cultural variety, the press must be pluralistic in the information they produce.
The lawmaker emphasised that the media must be sure to cover all aspects of a news story, both positive and negative.
“I honour all journalists who have given their lives for press freedom as well as those who have continued to produce and release materials in spite of the challenging circumstances they have encountered both online and offline.”
Nnamani agreed with UN-Secretary- General António Guterres that freedom of the press was essential to democracy and that freedom itself could not exist without freedom of expression.
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