President Muhammadu Buhari has warned the media against carrying sponsored political reports and stories ahead of the 2023 general election in the country.

In a message to mark the World Press Freedom Day, observed every year on May 3, President Buhari, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, rejoiced with the Nigerian media and recognised their role in strengthening democracy.

He charged the Nigerian Press to use the World Press Freedom Day to reflect on the need to embrace the best professional standards and practices, especially in the build-up to the forthcoming general election.
The president noted that the free performance of media roles and responsibilities during the electoral process is as important as the sanctity and will of Nigerians expressed through the ballot box.

With the elections in sight, the president urged the media to be mindful of sponsored political news or publications capable of inciting hatred, division, violence and chaos in the country, while also ensuring that the electoral umpire and other stakeholders play their roles in delivering free, fair, credible and transparent elections to Nigerians.

President Buhari hailed the courage and determination of those who daily go the extra time, sometimes at great personal risks, to keep the society well informed.
In fostering the pursuit of journalism in the country, the president reiterated the Nigerian government’s commitment to freedom of the press, pledging to continue ensuring the protection of the rights and privileges of journalists in the lawful performance of their professional duties.

‘‘We must stay united in supporting media professionals who work hard to de-escalate violent conflict and promote peaceful societies without compromising the responsibility to report,’’ he said, urging government information managers to ensure that the press and the general public have access to facts and figures of government information, without tears.

In line with the theme of this year’s World Press Freedom Day, ‘Journalism under digital siege,’ President Buhari assured Nigerians that government agencies under his watch will always stand against actions that are capable of limiting the preservation of the freedom of the press guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

According to him, the federal government is working hard to support media organizations in Nigeria through the provision of better internet access to underserved communities and achieve 95 per cent digital literacy by 2030.

President Buhari expressed gratitude to members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm whose diligent work helps in guaranteeing peace, stability and progress in the country.


Source:::https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/05/02/world-press-freedom-day-buhari-warns-media-against-sponsored-reports-ahead-of-2023-polls/[b][/b]

Press freedom in Nigeria indeed, we know how AIT and CHANNELS suffer in the hands of this government just because they report exactly what happen at Lekki tollgate during endsars

We also know what PUNCH and some other newspapers went through in the hands of these government.

Press freedom like the one journalist have been enjoying anytime you they brought Nnamdi kanu to court for trial.

Media houses, another terrorists organisations, some are more deadlier than Boko Haram and unknown gunmen

Aonkuuse:
Media houses, another terrorists organisations, some are more deadlier than Boko Haram and unknown gunmen

yes, because some of them refused to see black and call it White.

F OFF