In a bold affirmation of its commitment to press freedom, the Tinubu administration has pledged to safeguard the rights and safety of journalists in Nigeria.
Mr. Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication to President Bola Tinubu, gave the assurance on Tuesday in an interview with News Central, noting the importance of factual and ethical journalism in holding those in power accountable.
Dare, a veteran journalist and former Minister of Youth and Sports, acknowledged the inherent risks associated with journalism, particularly in Nigeria’s complex media landscape.
He noted that even with a strong commitment to factual reporting, journalists often face arrest, interrogation, and other forms of harassment.
Recalling the dark days of military rule in Nigeria, Dare highlighted the significant progress made since the country’s return to democracy in 1999.
Dare praised President Tinubu’s respect for the media and his administration’s determination to protect journalists and promote press freedom.
He said: “In a world where everyone is a journalist it is difficult to chase down factual stories. More worrisome is the attacks professional journalists face.
“There can be no substitute for fact based ethical journalism. And even with that journalists get arrested and interrogated. It comes with the terrain. Under the military it was worse. President Tinubu respects the media and will protect journalists.
“If you sign up to be a journalist, it’s not a bed of roses. You must be ready for a crackdown, you must be ready to be arrested, you must be ready to be interrogated, you must be ready to be challenged even when your stories are fact.
“In fact, when you get picked up often, it’s because your stories are correct, you must be ready for that. If you come in with a different mindset, then any little invitation, any little attack gets to you.
“So, back up to the Babangida-Abacha era, it was worse for us. We went into guerrilla journalism at that time, it was virtually impossible to write a story and not get clamped down upon.
“Most of the media houses were shut down, the Guardian was shut down, Tell was shut down, the news magazine was shut down. Because of media editors were declared wanted, a persona non grata across the country, people went abroad.
“That was under the jackboots, under dictatorship, that was worse. That was when NADECO came up.
“The current President who funded NADECO was also sent to jail and then he escaped to exile. That was when journalism was really under complete assault. And I’m telling you, over the years, with the return to democracy, in 25 years, I have seen the freedoms and liberties of journalists really improve.
“Across the world, there is no society where the journalist is not an endangered species. But the inoculation you must have is that your stories must have integrity, must be fact-based, and if they take you anywhere, you will still thrive. And I think that’s the challenge we face.”
Persecondnews reports that Dare’s statement has resonated as a powerful call to action for Nigerian journalists, encouraging them to stand firm in their dedication to fact-based and ethical reporting, undeterred by challenges and obstacles.
He emphasized the need for journalists to be prepared for the challenges that come with the territory, including crackdowns, arrests, and interrogations.
As Nigeria continues to navigate its complex democratic journey, the Tinubu administration’s commitment to press freedom and journalist safety is a welcome development.
It is a testament to the government’s recognition of the critical role that a free and independent press plays in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance.
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