Today is World Press Freedom Day. It’s a day set aside by the United Nations to celebrate the media for the yeoman’s job they are doing to safeguard democracy and ensure good governance and rule of law in their respective jurisdictions.
And President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with the media on the occasion which is celebrated every May 3 internationally.
A release issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, recalled that “This year’s celebration marks 30 years since the UN General Assembly’s decision proclaiming an international day for press freedom, and the President says the landmark is a tribute to media professionals, who risk their lives to keep society informed and educated.”
On this year’s theme, Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights, Adesina said President Buhari was delighted that the rights of Nigerian journalists have been protected and upheld in the past eight years.
“We have kept the faith. We have ensured that Nigerian journalists have had unfettered freedom to practice their art, and on this occasion of World Press Freedom Day, we recommit to that resolution, even as we wind down in office,” the President said.
Buhari then charged media professionals to continue to be patriotic, work for the cohesion of the country, and exercise their freedom with a high deal of responsibility.