WPFD: Peterside Hails Nigerian Media’s Courage, Resilience

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Rivers State in the April election, Dr. DakukuPeterside, 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 who fought even at the risk of their personal comfort for a better society. Peterside 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 of press freedom as we consolidate on our nation’s march to democracy”, he said.

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 of contravention that dehumanize their existence either as individuals or groups.