On Saturday, 3rd May, 2025, Cross River State joins the rest of the world in celebrating Journalists and the Media in general on this auspicious
commemoration of the 2025 World Press Freedom Day. A day set aside by the United Nations General Assembly to remind Governments around the world and the Media in particular of the need to respect their commitments to Press
Freedom. It is a day of reflection among the Media and to raise awareness on the fundamental principles of Press Freedom throughout the world.
The theme for this Year’s edition, being the 32nd Anniversary of World Press Freedom Day – “Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Press Freedom and the Media” is very apt and timeous. This is a strong indication that a free press is one of the most effective mechanisms that we have for furthering the protection of journalists on the line of duty while also leveraging on the relevance and impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in information gathering and dissemination.
This is even more so that the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has brought the world together as a stage for information gathering and reporting. It is therefore, very critical that as purveyors of the society, the Media must necessarily embrace the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in bringing the World together towards achieving the seeming impossibilities of nature.
The Cross River State Government wishes to note that this commemoration once again brings to the fore the very essence of the Media and its Practitioners. A proactive Press remains the bedrock for any democratic society. Central to the impression that information is a public commodity, it is essential to everything we do. More often than not, we trust the media with providing the information.
Effective information dissemination helps people to engage meaningfully in the political, socio-economic and civic spheres of their Communities, State, Nations, and the world at large.
As we continue to emphasize on factual accuracy, credibility, and more importantly, cling to the ethical standards of journalism which the World Press Freedom Day was initiated to remind us annually about, the Government of Cross River State hereby restates her commitment to a Free Independent Press in our dear State so that every Journalist can operate without fear of molestation, while also noting the alarming effects of the present day digital revolutions in the Media sector that is virtually altering the information terrain and its modalities of production and distribution.
As an Administration with the “People First” Mantra, Governor Bassey Edet Otu will continue to partner with the Media and other relevant stakeholders to protect freedom of expression and fighting misinformation in the Society.
Government shall continue to fight all enemies of a free press society that promotes discriminations and crimes against Journalists in the course of performing their legitimate duties. Government shall also promote the digitization of the Media in the State so that the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) would be felt in the performance of their duties in our dear State.
As we commemorate this day, the Cross River State Government joins her voice in condemning the continued persecution of responsible Journalists by repressive governments around the globe, some leading to imprisonment and death of genuine Media Practitioners and call for total restraint.
Once again, Government congratulates all Journalists across the globe and those practicing in our dear State in particular on this auspicious World Press Freedom Day 2025 with a renewed hope that this season of sweetness which is recalibrating Cross River State from all sectors, shall add greater value to this symbiotic relationship.
Thank you and God bless us all.
Erasmus Ekpang Ph.D., anipr, ftifuh
Commissioner for Information.