As part of activities marking the 2025 Press Week, journalists under the agies of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Federal Capital Territory Council have held a solidarity walk in Abuja for media rights, press freedom and democracy.
Addressing the Press, Chairman of Council, Grace Ike, said the walk is a powerful statement that free press is the cornerstone of any thriving democracy and the media in Nigeria remains the vigilant guardian of truth and the uncompromising defender of democracy.
“Without press freedom, society is shackled, voices are silenced and the pursuit of truth becomes a distant dream. Our profession holds the flame that lights the path for good governance, accountability and the protection of fundamental rights,” she noted.
Ike said, in recognition of the critical role journalists play, amidst economic challenges and growing threats to press freedom, practitioners remain determined and committed to push back against censorship, intimidation and attacks, in holding power to account, giving voice to the vulnerable and safeguarding the public interest.
She demanded that journalists, as frontline workers, in the quest for truth, Justice and national development be treated with utmost priority and interest, urging all stakeholders, to support and protect press freedom in Nigeria.
“It is only through a robust, independent media that democracy can truly flourish. We must also demand improved working conditions for our members because journalists are not beggars, ensuring that those who risk their lives and uphold truth are treated fairly and professionally,” She demanded.
Ike, while saying that the Walk theme; “A Walk for Press Freedom” validates freedom of expression, as a driver of all other human rights, cautioned journalists to be balanced, accountable, resist misinformation and embrace the evolving media landscape responsibly in their reportage.
“We must stand united in this case, reaffirming our pledge to uphold ethical journalism.And so we say zero tolerance to intimidation, zero tolerance to harassment of journalists, zero tolerance to censorship,the NUJFCT stand tall to say we will not be silenced.
We will continue to champion a media space that respects rights of journalists, nurtures democracy and empowers every voice and I want to say press freedom is non-negotiable,” she said.
Also speaking, Vice Chairman of Council, Ndambabo Yahaya said the walk is to amplify the issue of press freedom in Nigeria.
“We want to amplify the issue of press freedom as our right and not a privilege which is all mother of all other freedoms,” he said.
He demanded that government and other stakeholders come together and unite in the fight for press freedom.
Lateefah Ibrahim