World Press Freedom Day: NUJ FCT demands adherence to FoI Act

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ), FCT Council has enjoined public institutions and those financed with public finances to adhere to the Freedom of Information Act, FoI.
The Chairman of Council, Emmanuel Ogbeche, made the call in a press statement by the Secretary of Council, Ochiaka Ugwu, in Abuja.


The Council noted that, “The day serves as a call to affirm the importance of cherishing information as a public good, and exploring what can be done in the production, distribution and reception of content to strengthen journalism, and to advance transparency and empowerment.”Ogbeche stressed that the theme is of urgent relevance to Nigeria where information hoarding has become a near-norm even with a legislation that recognizes citizens right to governmental information.


According to the council chairman, the danger of not making information available is what has given rise to fake news, disinformation, misinformation and mischief on issues of governance and development.The NUJ FCT chairman insisted that when information was readily available, it engenders legitimacy and fuels trust between citizens and those in authority.He used the occasion to call on journalists to see themselves as channels of credible, verifiable and balanced information aimed at promoting social cohesion, demanding accountability and transparency from those in government and entrenching democratic norms and the rule of law.

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