President Muhammadu Buhari has saluted Nigerian journalists as they join their professional colleagues across the world to mark world press freedom day.
President Buhari, in a statement by his special adviser on media and publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, today in Abuja urged the journalists to use the day to appraise and recommit themselves to the ethics that guide their noble profession.
While celebrating the world press freedom day, president Buhari urged the journalists to rededicate themselves to the role of being watchdogs of society.
The president noted that the theme of this year’s celebration, media for democracy: journalism and elections in times of disinformation, was quite germane for Nigeria, having recently concluded its general elections.
He urged the media to reflect on the deleterious effect of fake news, misinformation and disinformation before, during and after the polls.
President Buhari affirmed that the government would continue to ensure that the media was not muzzled in any way, since democracy and freedom of expression were kindred spirits. The world press freedom day is observed every third of may to celebrate fundamental principles of press freedom, evaluate press freedom around the world, defend media from attacks on their independence, and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the practice of their profession.