Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
An appeal has been made to the media to ensure to be impartial, fair and accurate in reporting the activities of government.
The plea was made yesterday by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a statement to mark the 2018 World Press Freedom Day.
In the speech with the theme: ‘Keeping Power In Check: Media, Justice and the Rule of Law,†Mohammed appealed to the media to always report the activities of government in line with the principles of responsible journalism.
He restated the commitment of the present administration to press freedom in the country and to ensure that journalists are able to perform their duties unfettered.
He said that as an important pillar of democracy, the media must purge itself of all prejudice in order to be able to hold all the levels and arms of government to account.
He commended the media for its role so in deepening democracy in Nigeria, adding the media should strive to operate above political influence and interference.
Mohammed also called on the media to ensure the transparency of the entire political process through unbiased and objective reporting ahead of next year’s general election.
He, however, expressed concern that the media is being used by some vested political interests to create divisions along ethnic and religious lines in the country.
The minister said such unpatriotic conduct would not augur well for the nation’s unity and progress.
