As the world marks the World Press Freedom Day May 3, the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has said that the right to access and dissemination of information through an independent press is under attack hence for an urgent need to protect the media.
In a press statement signed by the guild’s President, Mustapha Isah and the General Secretary, Iyobosa Uwugiaren to mark the day, the professional group said while the threat to the media freedom in Nigeria is real, the impact on the state of democracy in the country will be very dangerous, if not checked.
It reads ‘’Today is a day globally, to remind governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom. It is also a day of reflection among journalists and other media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics.
‘’We need to remind governments at all levels in Nigeria that a free and independent media that can keep the people informed and hold leaders accountable, is essential for a strong and sustainable democracy as well as free and fair elections.
The Guild noted that its members are concerned that elected leaders in Nigeria, who should be press freedom’s dependable protectors, have made several overt attempts to silence the media voices through propose legislations – that clearly seek to criminalise journalism practice in the country.
The editors added that apart from the regular attacks on journalists – carrying out their legitimate editorial assignments by overzealous security agents, the current attempts to criminalise journalism practice in the country through obnoxious proposed laws, harsh political/economic policies have in the past years, made it almost impossible for the media sector to carry out its constitutional responsibility for the benefit of the citizens.
Isah however said Governments at all levels must take the lead in making sure that their actions do not hinder press freedom.
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