2023 Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has come out to “join the rest of the world to celebrate the work of all traditional and social media citizen journalists”.
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| World Press Freedom Day 2024 |
The former Vice President of Nigeria said, “I painfully acknowledge the challenges and threats faced by our pen-fighters”, adding, he is using this medium “to reaffirm my eternal commitment to press freedom and the safety of all journalists across all spheres and especially the internet”.
Today, Friday 3 May, 2024 is World Press Freedom Day.
According to un.org:
In 2024, World Press Freedom Day is dedicated to the importance of journalism and freedom of expression in the context of the current global environmental crisis.
World Press Freedom Day is observed every May 3 to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined under Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Atiku wrote: “On this occasion of the #WorldPressFreedomDay, I join the rest of the world to celebrate the work of all traditional and social media citizen journalists as well as other media professionals who work on behalf of Nigerian citizens to expose truths, even in the face of government adversity.
The fourth estate of the realm as the watchdog of society in Nigeria has always been at the forefront of holding the government accountable, all through the days of the military regimes and even now. I painfully acknowledge the challenges and threats faced by our pen-fighters and use this opportunity to reaffirm my eternal commitment to press freedom and the safety of all journalists across all spheres and especially the internet which is fast becoming a major medium of journalistic operations. To all journalists who have paid the ultimate price in the battle to enthrone and sustain democracy and for a better society, be assured that your sacrifices will not be in vain.
To all journalists and on behalf of all my associates and supporters, I say thank you for your sacrifices, thank you for your service, and I will always stand in solidarity with you.
#WorldPressFreedomDay #PressFreedom #FreeThePress #CitizenJournalismMatters “
