The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Tuesday described journalists as the oxygen of democracy, agents of change and development.
The Executive Secretary of the commission, Mr Tony Ojukwu, SAN, said this in a statement in Abuja in celebration of the World Press Freedom Day.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event started since May 3, 1993.
It was designed to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom and assess the state of press freedom around the world.
It also aims to defend the media against the attacks on its independence and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives while performing their duty.
In addition, to remind journalists of the need to adhere to their professional ethics, defend democracy, justice, equity and fairness.
Ojukwu said that the press is a critical agent for the protection of democracy and development, and must be supported.
He added that this will enable them to effectively discharge their constitutional duties as the watchdog of the society.
“The society see the journalists as the oxygen of democracy and agents of change and development.
“Their constitutional duty is enshrined in Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, ‘to hold the goverment accountable to the people’ distinguishes them as those who perform essential duty to the nation.
“Nigerian journalists fought very hard to achieve our democratic status and deserve a better deal unlike the current situation where many of them struggle with poor conditions of service,” he said.
According to Ojukwu, journalists face other challenges, including censorship, harassment, intimidation and in some cases, assassinations.
He said at this time when Nigeria is at the crossroad of challenge of justice, equity and fairness to stabilise our democracy, the press is needed.
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“The press must defend democracy by its commitment to holding our governments accountable to the truth always no matter the difficulties of the times.
“It must remain the conscience of the nation, telling the truth at times like this, to save our democracy.” (NAN)
