By Tony Ezimakor, Abuja
Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation has declared that the Press is largely free in the country compared to what is applicable in other climes, stressing that journalists who report factually, honestly and transparently have nothing to fear.
Fielding reporters’ questions at this Year’s Annual National World Press Freedom day conference dedicated to environmental protection, the Minister stressed that but for a few issues recently, which he said are being resolved, no journalist has lost his life, at least, during the life of the present administration.
“Your freedom to express yourself ends where another person’s freedom also begins. If you spread falsehood, if you spread misinformation, if you spread fake news, there is no way that can be called press freedom”.he stressed adding that responsible journalism connotes citizen
He however maintained that freedom of press must not suggest freedom to disseminate falsehood and misinformation, insisting that it is impossible to take away responsibility from journalism.
“I know that occasionally you have some little challenges here and there which we work every day to try to address. I can tell you that there is nobody today who has been killed in the life of this administration or who is in jail as we speak because he has expressed his views.
” I know that you may refer to some incidents that have happened in the past which we have also worked to address in a way that is also very responsible.
What I can tell you is that there is no way you can take away responsibility in journalism.
“Your freedom to express yourself ends where another person’s freedom also begins. If you spread falsehood, if you spread misinformation, if you spread fake news, there is no way that can be called press freedom.
Press freedom is not the same thing as passing falsehood, misinformation. I remember even when I was talking to you, I talked about the issue of patriotism and the love for nationhood. We are all Nigerians.
“Nobody will come to this country and tell us how to behave. It is our responsibility to ensure that this country is safe, this country remains united, this country remains peaceful. So whatever you say or do, you also have to have at the back of your mind that you are reporting so that society can live.
“So responsible journalism is that which enables you to report factually, honestly, transparently, but also maintaining the integrity and the sanctity of your own country. You cannot tear your country apart just because you want to talk about press freedom. We have been talking about FDIs, foreign direct investment into this country.
“You cannot have your newspapers and radio stations flashing about insecurity all the time, about things that are not palatable, and expect people from other climes to come and invest in this country. This is our country. We must do things that allow us to continue to exist.
But I can tell you that once you report factually, honestly, and transparently, nobody is going to ask you to come and answer questions.
“And if they do and your facts are very clear, they will ask you to go. I have not seen somebody in the life of this administration, for example, who has been put in jail or who has been sent on exile as a result of press freedom.
“We knew what has happened in this country in the past. Some decades ago, we knew that you have to leave this country to be able to report. So it is a very difficult thing to believe, but I can tell you that the press in Nigeria is largely free”.
The minister added that the”freedom will further be consolidated if honesty, transparency is upheld in the manner that we report.
Earlier in his address, Minister of State for Environment, Dr Iziaq Salako stressed the place of press freedom in the advocacy to protect the environment and advance climate journalism with overall goal to communicate climate crisis and enforce environmentally responsible decisions.
“Press freedom is indispensable to promote transparency, accountability and social justice, critical to communicating the threat posed by climate crisis and making informed decisions to be more environmentally responsible.
“You as journalists have a critical role to play in driving environmental policy formulation and implementation and also in shaping public perception about the crisis. Let us therefore work together, across sectors and borders, to harness the power of media in addressing the environmental crisis and advancing sustainable development.
“Journalism plays a pivotal role in advancing environmental agendas, serving as a catalyst for change, a watchdog for accountability, and a voice for the voiceless. Through investigative reporting, insightful analysis, and compelling storytelling, journalists shed light on the pressing issues of environmental crisis facing our nation and inspire mass action towards positive change. Without such mass actions, we will be unable to win the fight against the environmental challenges confronting our country.” He stated.
Dr Salako said the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration recognizes the interconnectedness of environmental, social and economic issues hence the emphasis on sustainable development and inclusivity in the journey to a greener more prosperous country.
This year’s world press Day conference has the theme:”A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis.”
