Journalists have been asked to always balance their reports for the common good of the populace.
This was the crux of the matter at the virtual meeting, organized by UNESCO, US embassy in Nigeria and the Nigeria Union of journalists in commemoration of the 2021 World Press Freedom Day.
Ekwi Ajide of our Abuja Bureau reports that the meeting was an opportunity to remind journalists of the vital roles they play in the development of the society.
Addressing the forum, the Director of UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office for West Africa, Dr. Dimitri Sanga urged governments to renew their commitment to the right to information to ensure it remains a tool for national development and cohesion.
For the US ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, there must be an intentional focus on opportunities for freedom of the press to ensure democratic growth while the national president of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Mr. Chris Isiguzo, said despite COVID-19 pandemic, Nigeria Journalists have been committed to their duties but have been incessantly harassed by security agents, regulatory bodies and media owners thereby making journalists operate on their toes.
A keynote speaker for the day, Professor Barry O’Sullivan, called for concerted efforts by all to ensure a free press as it is a necessity for democratic governance.
The meeting, which was moderated by Oluseyi Soremekun, the National Information Officer at the United Nations Information Centre Nigeria, had several other speakers including Director of the United Nations Information Centre, Ronald Kayanja, and Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mbah, among others.
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