EU urges FG to sustain press freedom

The European Union (EU) and other stakeholders have advised the Federal Government against suppressing press freedom enjoyed by Nigerian media, saying it should rather be strengthened in the interest of democracy.

The United Nations (UN) has set aside every May 3 to mark the World Press Freedom Day.

The Head Political, Press and Information of the EU delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms Pauline Torehall gave the advice yesterday in Abuja at a roundtable marking the 2017 World Press Freedom Day 2017.

The event themed, ‘Critical Minds for Critical Times: Media’s role in advancing peaceful, just and inclusive societies’ was organised by the NUJ, EU, UNESCO, Canadian Commission and the Nigeria Press Council.

Torehall said the union had expressed strong concern on the continued intimidation and violence against journalists across the world.

The Head of Mass Communication Department at the Baze University Abuja, Dr Abiodun Adeniyi said though the internet age was replete with fakenews, fraud and multiple deceptions among other ills, it would be nearly impossible for the world to do away with internet.

On his part the NUJ President, Mr Waheed Odusile, urged stakeholders to unite in the struggle to sustain and improve the independence of press.