Press freedom day: Ganduje wants journalists to be accurate, objective

Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on Monday urged journalists to be resolute in maintaining accuracy, objectivity and professional ethics in their line of duty to deepen good governance without heating up the polity.

He spoke as a friend-of-the-press to mark the occasion of the United Nations World Press Freedom Day, celebrated on May 3, each year.

Ganduje, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba said as a crucial stakeholder, he would want journalists to exercise their profession within the realm of law and the journalism profession.

The governor said 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.

He said: “Accurate and factual reporting is the important part of the code of ethics guiding the journalism profession anywhere in the world.

“’Information as a Public Good’” as the theme for this year’s press freedom day aims to assert the importance of savouring information as a public good.”

He said while the press can help to strengthen the government institutions through its watchdog role, significant reform is needed to support media organisations to restore public confidence in the press.

The governor assured journalists that his administration would continue to be media-friendly.

Credit: The Nation