President Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the Nigerian media for the good work they have done, and are still doing, as the nation confronts the unseen enemy called COVID-19.
According to Mr Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Buhari made the commendation on Saturday on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, celebrated every May 3.
Buhari said “We cannot overemphasize the role of the media in keeping people informed and educated on the pernicious virus, which has no friend or foe.
“It simply seeks to mow down anyone and everyone in its path, and public awareness is very important, lest we become like sitting ducks. The media are doing this quite effectively.
” Reflecting on the theme of World Press Freedom Day 2020, ‘Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation,’ Buhari however expressed dissatisfaction for what he called “unhealthy dose of disinformation, fake news, hate news, purveyed by people who use media platforms, particularly the digital variant and urged the press to use the occasion of World Press Freedom Day to see how this can be vigorously tackled.
” On the part of government, the President pledges a recommitment to the ideals of freedom of the press, noting that democracy thrives better in an atmosphere of transparency, as opposed to opacity.
“We appreciate the cooperation we have enjoyed from the media in tackling the Coronavirus, and look forward to same, post COVID-19, when all hands must be on deck to repair the damages done to our economic and social lives.” Buhari said.
