Dr. Dakuku Peterside, governorship candidate of the
All Progressives Congress, APC in Rivers State in the April election has
commended the Nigerian media for its courage and resilience as the world marks
press freedom day.
Peterside who spoke in Port Harcourt hailed the
Nigerian media for its contribution to nation building, describing the
nationalist journalists of the colonial era as patriots who fought gallantly
for Nigeria's independence.
He therefore called on the media to emulate the
shining examples of these statesmen and founding fathers that fought even at
the risk of their personal comfort for a better society. He called on Nigerians
to work tirelessly towards protecting freedom of expression and rights of
everybody.
“Freedom is an indivisible word and no country can
genuinely make progress if its citizens are denied right to life, right to
choices and above all, right to freedom of expression.
“As we mark World Press Freedom Day, we must all
reflect on the dangers of censorship, particularly in developing countries
where government policies and absence of strong institutions remain a stumbling
block to free speech.
“It is important therefore for Nigerians, irrespective
of creed or political leaning to stand in defence press freedom as we
consolidate on our nation's march to democracy”.
For Peterside therefore, censorship of any kind is not
only a flagrant infringement on personal liberties of citizens but also an ill
wind that blows no good.
He therefore commended campaign groups across the
country for their crusades but also called on citizens to resist impunity and
all forms contravention that dehumanizes their existence either as individuals
or groups.
0 comments