The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, RT. HON. IDRIS AHMED WASE has commended Nigerian journalists for their enviable contributions towards the sustenance of democratic rule in the country.
He said journalists in the country deserve a better deal considering the poor conditions under which some of them are consigned to and made to operate.
In a solidarity message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Umar Muhammad Puma on the commemoration of this year’s World Press Freedom Day explained that a better welfare would spur the media to be more productive and alive to her responsibilities.
“I wish to commend the Nigerian journalists for their resilience inspite of obvious poor working conditions. Your laudable contributions information dissemination, education and enlightenment of the citizenry is well acknowledged and appreciated.
“As you join your colleagues across the globe to mark the World Press Freedom Day, I commend your resilience and commitment to good governance in the discharge of your duties as the fourth estate of the realm.
“I urge all media owners to see to strive to provide enabling environment and improvement the welfare of their employees. A worker who is better motivated will always give his best”, he stated.
The Deputy Speaker said the Nigerian media played an indelible role in the restoration and sustenance of democratic rule adding that “the resilience and commitment of Nigerian journalists to good governance was paramount in the return to democratic rule in
Commenting on the theme if this year’s celebration “journalism without fear or favour,’ WASE noted that “reporting without fear or favour entails giving out information that is factual, objective and balanced and avoiding anything that is sensational and fake”
He enjoined journalists to eschew fake news in their reportage in order to feed the society with “credible and truthful information that could advance the cause of good governance, socio-economic development, peace and unity in the nation”
The United Nations General Assembly declared May 3 of every year to be World Press Freedom Day or just World Press Day, observed to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and 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.
