THISDAY

Gbajabiami­la: House Won’t Promote Laws against Freedom of Expression, Media

- In Abuja

Iyobosa Uwugiaren

The Speaker, House of Representa­tive, Hon. Femi Gbajabiami­la said yesterday that the Ninth House will neither encourage any legislativ­e agenda that will gang the media, nor stiffle the freedom of informatio­n of the citizens as guaranteed by the constituti­on.

The speaker who spoke in Abuja at a public presentati­on of a book titled “The Powers that Be,” authored by the Managing Director of The Sun Newspapers, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, said that the House under his leadership sees the media as a veritable partner in nation building and democratic processes.

Represente­d by the House Committe Chairman on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the speaker reaffirmed the House’s commitment­s towards strengthen­ing the nation’s democratic processes.

He however, cautioned media, especially those in the social media, to ensure that the freedom of speech, which the constituti­on guarantees was not abused.

“The Ninth House of Representa­tives under my leadership sees the media as more than a mere source of news, but as an instrument of unity, peace and national developmen­t.

“We consider the media to be the fourth Realm of the Estate , or the fourth Arm of the government with a critical role to play that can sometimes be even more important than that of those in government.

“Which is why we have stated this in our Section 2.14 of our legislativ­e agenda. We will partner the media in our joint task efforts for nation building; we will ensure that the freedom of informatio­n is strengthen­ed, and the media is not gagged,” the speaker added.

He said the parliament would take responsibi­lity to ensure that the media is not used to perpetrate evil but reinforce afro -positive narratives, adding that as partners in nation building, the media must be a tool to showcase the nation’s strength better than the weakness.

He called on the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalist­s ( NUJ) to ensure that its members portray the country in a positive light with their reportage.

He also advised that social media influencer­s should be groomed by NUJ to carry out their trade in informatio­n management in such a manner that internatio­nal best practices would not be compromise­d.

 ?? JULIUS ATOI ?? L-R: Bishop Sunday Onuoha; Managing Director, SUN Newspaper and author of the book, Onuoha Ukeh; book launcher, Obora Okonkwo; Chairman of the occasion, and Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu; and former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, at the unveiling and presentati­on of the book ‘THE POWERS THAT BE,’ in Abuja... yesterday
JULIUS ATOI L-R: Bishop Sunday Onuoha; Managing Director, SUN Newspaper and author of the book, Onuoha Ukeh; book launcher, Obora Okonkwo; Chairman of the occasion, and Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu; and former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, at the unveiling and presentati­on of the book ‘THE POWERS THAT BE,’ in Abuja... yesterday

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