Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Umana Okon Umana, has urged journalists to exercise their constitutional freedom with a sense of duty and responsibility.
Mr. Umana, have this charge at a ceremony marking World Press Freedom Day, organised by the Akwa Ibom State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, in Uyo, recently.
The Minister, who was represented by his media aide, Mr Iboro Otongaran, pointed out that while “a free press is an oxygen for a free society, freedom must be exercised within the law. We must balance rights and responsibility.”
He observed that this year’s theme, ‘Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a Driver for All Other Human Rights’ shows that in UN’s consideration, all other fundamental rights are given force by the right to freedom of the press and of expression, underscoring the weight of the responsibility on the shoulder of the journalist.
“The question is, How well has he (journalist) handled this responsibility? He queried.
The Minister also noted that “every freedom carries with it the duty of responsible behaviour. How responsibly have Nigerian journalists used the freedom provided for them in chapter 4, section 39 of the 1999 Constitution as amended? A cursory look at the media shows that much of media practice has not demonstrated the level of responsibility that is commensurate with the freedom guaranteed in the constitution, and duly upheld by the Government, even with the Freedom of Information Act.
“The new media (also called social media) is the member of the media family that is most guilty of this irresponsible conduct. The reason for this aberration is obvious.
