Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano and Segun Awofadeji in Gombe
Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and his Gombe State counterpart, Mr. Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, have tasked journalists to promote peace and good governance in the country.
Speaking on the occasion of the United Nations’ World Press Freedom Day celebrated on May 3 yearly, Ganduje urged journalists to be resolute in upholding accuracy, objectivity and professional ethics in the line of duty to help deepen good governance rather than heating up the polity.
In a statement issued yesterday by the state Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, the governor noted that as stakeholders, journalists should exercise their duties within the realm of the law and journalism profession.
Ganduje further stated that at this critical period when Nigeria is facing myriads of challenges, the media should always be mindful of the laws guiding the conduct of their constituted responsibilities in their reportage.
“It is important to ensure that accurate and factual reporting is part of the code of ethics guiding the journalism profession anywhere in the world.’’
The governor stated that this year’s observance theme: ‘Information as a Public Good’, serves as a call to assert the importance of savoring information as a public good.
On his part, Gombe State Governor, Yahaya, has pledged his continuous partnership with the media to entrench transparency and accountability in governance.
In his goodwill message to mark this years’ World Press Freedom Day, Yahaya paid glowing tribute to media professionals in the state for “their resilience and commitment in enlightening and sensitising the citizenry on government policies and programmes” as well as updating the public on developments around the world through their reportage and editorial contents.
In the message, which was made available to journalists through the Director-General, Press Affairs, Government House in Gombe, Ismaila Uba Misilli, the governor charged media professionals to continue to uphold the ethics of their profession by promoting the ideals of democracy, justice, accountability, peace and unity.
Making reference to the theme of this year’s celebration: ‘Information as a Public Good’, Yahaya said as watchdogs of the society and voice of the people, journalists must always guard against fake news and misinformation, as well as ensure accurate and balanced reportage of events and activities.
He assured journalists that his administration would continue to work with the media as partners and critical allies in his determination to entrench transparency, accountability and openness in governance in the state.
