Nigeria Guild of Editors tasks incoming administration on press freedom, journalists’ safety
Written by Olarotimi Oshin on May 4, 2023
As the 2023 World Press Freedom Day held yesterday, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) charged the incoming government to initiate deliberate and sustained policies to promote freedom of expression, media freedom and safety of journalists.
It noted conscious efforts in the past few years by some members of the National Assembly – working in collaboration with officials of the executive arm of government – to criminalise journalism practice in Nigeria.
The umbrella body of all the editors in the country, in a statement to mark the global event, themed “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a Driver for all Other Human Rights,” also promised to engage the incoming administration on the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Act and Broadcast Code of Conduct with a view to amending them to conform with global best practices.
In the statement signed by its President, Mustapha Isah and General Secretary, Dr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren, the guild said pluralistic mass media predicated on freedom of expression, freedom of information and free press is fundamental to any effective and functional democracy all over the world, stating that Nigeria can’t be an exception.
