The leadership of the International Press Centre, is of the view that the much desired democracy cannot be actualised without the support of the members of the fourth estate of the realm.
This, they stated on Monday in a press statement while commemorating the 24th anniversary of Nigeria’s democracy.
The statement which was signed by the Centre’s Executive Director, Lanre Arogundade, enjoined governments at all levels, relevant institutions and stakeholders to take urgent measures to guarantee media independence.
More to their demands, is for the aforementioned institution to as well fashion out plans that would enhance welfare and safety of journalists across the country.
They urged the new administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to recognise the vanguard role the media played in the June 12, 1993 struggles.
The struggle, according to the statement, “paved the way for civil rule in 1999 and appreciates the fact that the media still have crucial roles to play in the democratic journey.”
Arguing that “Democracy cannot come to play without the support of the media”, the media as suggested by them, should further be encouraged to perform its role, particularly as stipulated in Section 22 of the Nigerian Constitution,
The role which empowered journalists to monitor governance and hold the government accountable, they believed, can be achieved only when an enabling environment is created for the media.
The much expected environment, the centre said, would help the media to thrive and be in a position to contribute to democracy and development.
Other demands observed to have been made by the centre include a press freedom friendly regulatory environment, the review and amendment of all laws that serve as drawbacks on press freedom, the guarantee of the safety of journalists and protection from all forms of attacks, improved welfare of journalists so that they can carry out their work without fear of hunger and poverty to mention but just a few.
