As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark the 2021 Press Freedom Day, governments at all levels have been urged to remain committed to Press freedom at all times.
This is contained in a statement by the Cross River State Chairman of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Comrade Umo Bassey Edet and signed by its Secretary, Mrs. Maria Nsa Ewa, to mark this year’s World Press Freedom Day in Calabar with the theme “Information as the Public Good.”
Comrade Umo Bassey Edet noted that the day was set aside strictly as a reflection among media professionals concerning issues that involve press freedom and professional ethics.
The State Chairperson maintained that the day was also to support journalists, especially those who lost their lives while in the course of discharging their duty.
Comrade Umo-Basi Edet called on government and non governmental organizations to always ensure that they recognize and value journalism as a vital aspect of information, especially for the good and interest of the public.
She harped on the critical role of the media in the society, adding “This is an opportunity for us to draw attention to the plights of journalists in the state, the country and the world at large. For instance, in 2020 alone, we had about 247 journalists who were arrested and locked up globally. This is quite worrisome. And the trend isn’t improving.”
World Press Freedom Day is celebrate globally on 3rd of May every year.
