Nation
No Democracy Without Press Freedom-UNESCO, UNIC
The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) says democracy is a shadow of itself without press freedom.
The Officer-in-Charge of UNESCO Regional Office, Abuja, Mr Philippe Delange, said this at the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day organised by UNESCO, in collaboration with UN Information Centre (UNIC), on Friday in Abuja.
The 2023 World Press Freedom Day had the theme: “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a Driver for all Other Human Rights”.
The Tide’s source reports that World Press Freedom Day was established by the UN General Assembly to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press.
The source reports that the day is also to remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression.
The day also coincides with the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 30th anniversary of Vienna Conference Programme of Action on Human Rights.
Delange said: “Freedom of the press is the cornerstone of democratic society.
“Without a debate of ideas, without verified facts, without diversity of perspectives, democracy is a shadow of itself and World Press Freedom Day was established to remind us of this.
“For the international community, it is first and foremost a question of combating the impunity that still surround crimes of which journalists are victims, with nearly nine out of ten murders of journalists going unpunished.”
Delange also said the UN had the Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, which UNESCO had been leading for ten years.
According to him, the action plan ensured that independent media can continue to exist.
“With the digital revolution, the information landscape and its modes of production and distribution have been radically disrupted, jeopardising the viability of independent professional media”, Delange said.
He, however, said thirty years after the first World Press Freedom Day, a lot had happened and lots more needed to be done as well.
The O-i-C said it was an opportunity to renew commitment within international organisations to defending journalists and ensuring press freedom.
Speaking, UN Resident Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr Matthias Schmale, said having freedom of expression and seeking information fostered intellectual growth and contribute to social and political progress.
“A free press is essential, if we want truth, justice, and accountability to flourish,”he said.
He expressed regret that press freedom remained under threat in many parts of the world, while speech was being repressed both online and offline.
According to him, truth is undermined by disinformation and hate speech, while media workers face mounting threats, including women journalists living in fear of violence in many parts of the world.
He said the day reminded all that freedom of expression enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was a prerequisite for the enjoyment of all other rights.
“We all have a responsibility to support and protect those who risk their lives speaking truth to power.
“UNESCO will continue to lead UN efforts to keep media professionals safe and help them seek justice.
“I call on government, CSOs and citizens to promote and protect press freedom.
“Together, we can shape a future of rights where journalists can tell the stories that needed to be told”, he said.
Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Mr Anthony Ojukwu, said the commission was aware of several bills proposed at the National Assembly for the purpose of gagging the media.
Represented by Mrs Agharese Arese, Director, Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, Ojukwu said NHRC would continue to work with other stakeholders to ensure the right to freedom of expression.
He said the press was exercised within the ambit of the law.
“Whereas, the social and digital media have been criticised for encroaching on privacy rights and fuelled hate statements.
“We believe in the sufficiency of our laws for individuals affected to seek civil legal remedies.
“The NHRC is passionate about the protection of the rights of Nigerians which includes journalists”, he said.
The Deputy Dean, Post Graduate Studies of Baze University, Prof. Abiodun Adeniyi, said freedom was priceless while it could be denied in diverse ways.
According to Adeniyi, freedom can be denied through regulations, intimidation, harassment, denial of rights which can be politically motivated or otherwise.
He said people could engage in peaceful protests, advocasies, dialogues to fight efforts targeted at gagging the media.
Adeniyi added that freedom of expression was an integral part of human rights and a viable democracy.
Mr John Attah, Programme Director, Human Rights Journalists Network Nigeria, called on stakeholders to protect journalists while they do their jobs.
Attah also said journalists should abide by the ethics of the profession, adding that citizen journalism was important to ensure media literacy.
The day was celebrated with a panel discussion that focused on freedom of expression as a human right, gender and women in media, among other sub-topics.
The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management of Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC to embark on the water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area, Rivers state
The Group called on the Rivers state government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths
On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously as the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people
The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the council to assist in making the project a reality and attracts more developmental projects to the city
This call was on Rhythm 93.7 FM Port Harcourt, Radio program, Talk of the Town, by MOSIEND Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn alongside Mark Ojuka,Chairman of Buguma and Hon Sandra Owunari JP Chairman Obuama and monitored by our correspondent
Comrade Ojuka also called on the Management of Liquidifed Natural Gas NLG to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kala bari communities to improve their health status
He appealed to LNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting the company is doing same in Bonny, abandoning Kalabari communities
“We need contracts, free medical, scholarships and employment including skill acquisition programs for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions ”
On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is at zero level with the help of the Ama Ma soldiers the city is more peaceful and investors friendly as the youths of area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area
“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”
He called on the Rivers state to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths
“The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment”
“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence”
Also Speaking, Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn called for more improve in infrastructures in Kalabari community, especially in electricity
There is little improvement in terms of electricity in Buguma city
He decried the deplorable condition
of Buguma Health Centre, saying that the hospital is near functional
“Our sisters that are pregnant and our sick parents can not access the health centre for a better treatment ”
Describing the Health Centre as an eye saw, he called on Rivers state government and Buguma Local Government chairman Hon William to improve on facilities in the centre and make it more medically accessible to the sick persons in the area
Buguma, Tammy Bruce said is the spiritual headquarter of Kalabari people as such deserve more modern facilities from the government to improve lives
The Coordinator called on government, stakeholders and oil companies to assist and improve the poor infrastructural facilities in area
“We need first class hospitals, qualified medical doctors and nurses in the health centres and hospitals”
On the oil spilled in Obuoma Chairman MOSIEND Obuoma, Hon Sandra Owunari said the spill destroyed their crops and Rivers even polluted their only source of drinking water
She expressed displeasure that Rivers state government did not send any relief materials to the people in the affected community
On Chieftaincy title to women in Obuama, Hon Sandra Owunari said the community do not install Chieftaincy title to women, saying that Chieftaincy title is only reserved for men only in the community
CHINEDU WOSU
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