The Rivers State Government has assured journalists of support to enable them perform their sacred duties to society, but insisted that the government would only partner journalists if they ensure professionalism and sound moral and ethical judgement in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr Austin Tam-George, gave the assurance during a lecture organized by the Rivers State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), to mark the 2016 World Press Freedom Day with the theme: “Access To Information And Fundamental Freedom: This Is Your Right”, at the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Tam-George, who was represented by the Director, Public Enlightenment, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, said that the government has already initiated policies and programmes to assist journalists in the state perform optimally, saying that the quest for press freedom would be a mirage if the journalists fail to ply their trade in line with global best practices.
The commissioner, who was the special guest of honour at the event, challenged journalists in the state to shun yellow and blackmail journalism, and concentrate efforts at sharpening their skills and expertise in conducting investigative reports to enhance sustainable development of the state, and the nation.
He charged journalists to be bold and courageous in the performance of the constitutional responsibilities, as that was one sure way of helping government win the fight against corruption, insecurity, and other vices in the society, and commended the NUJ for organizing the event.
Chairman of the occasion and General Manager, Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation, Samson Fiberesima, charged journalists to guarde against acts capable of exposing them to danger, and described journalists as endangered species.
He said that the forum provided an opportunity for journalists to take stock of their performances over the years, and reposition themselves for greater role in efforts to move the nation forward.
Rivers State NUJ Chairman, Omoni Ayo-Tamuno said although some journalists in the state have faced precarious challenges in the hands of security agencies in recent time, more needed to be done to smoothen the synergy between journalists and security personnel to make the society a better place for all.
He called on government and public office holders to allow free flow of information to enable journalists effectively perform their duties.
In his goodwill message, Acting General Manager, Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Soye Wilson Jamabo, lamented the inability of journalists in the state to boldly test the potency of the Freedom of Information Act, five years after it was assented to by President Goodluck Jonathan, and argued that the only way to achieve good governance is for journalists to deepen their interest in conducting investigative reporting, which the Act facilitates.
In his presentation, the Guest Lecturer, and Senior Lecturer at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Prof Gabriel Okon said the day presents an opportunity for journalists to reflect on the fundamental principles of press freedom, and also pay glowing tributes to those who had died in the course of duty.
Okon added that: “In every functional sense, this day would not have been possible in Rivers State and by extension, Nigerian, if not for the push exerted on the system by the sub-systems like security agencies, the press and the generality of the citizenry.”

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana