Maku Congratulates Journalists On World Press Freedom Day

The Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, has described the Nigerian media as the freest in the world.

Maku said this in Abuja yesterday at an event to mark the World Press Freedom Day, urging  journalists not to abuse the free environment for media practice in the country.

He said that the liberty with which the Nigerian media had carried out their activities so far and the enactment of the Freedom of Information Law by President Jonathan, were all testimonies to Nigeria’s free media environment.

Maku congratulated journalists in the country and the world over on the the world press freedom day.

He urged the journalists to reflect on the ethics of the profession and evaluate their performances in the past years.

“I urge you, fellow reporters, not to take the freedom of the press you enjoy today for granted. A lot of people have worked very hard for it; some have lost their lives in the process.

“In some countries today, some journalists are in jail, even as we speak.”

Maku urged the media to align with the government to ensure National security.

The minister decried the recent bomb attacks on media houses and observed a minute silence for journalists who lost their lives while on active duty.

He described the development as unfortunate and expressed his strong belief that the Nigerian security forces would triumph at last.