From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
Joining other leaders across the world to felicitate with journalists on Press Freedom Day, Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has urged media professionals to deepen good governance on the line of their duty.
In a Statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, the Governor tasked journalists to be resolute towards upholding accuracy, objectivity and professional ethics.
He also advised against sensational cum yellow journalism, capable of heating the polity.
He gave the charge on the occasion of the United Nation’s World Press Freedom Day, celebrated on May 3, each year.
Ganduje noted that, “as stakeholders, journalists should exercise their profession within the realm of law and journalism profession.”
He further observed 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 ensuring 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.”
He said, “while the Press can help to strengthen government institutions through its watchdog role, significant reform is needed to support media organisations to restore public confidence in the press.”
Ganduje also assured working journalists that, “his administration would continue to be media friendly and felicitated with them on the auspicious occasion of International Press Freedom Day.”
The AUTHORITY reports that the United Nations General Assembly declared May 3 to be World Press Freedom Day to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press.
