Senate President Akpabio Urges Journalists to Uphold Ethical, Fact-Based Reporting
Call for Responsible Journalism at World Press Freedom Day Celebration
Senate President Dr. Godswill Akpabio has emphasized the critical role of responsible journalism in Nigeria’s democratic development, calling on media practitioners to uphold ethical and fact-based reporting standards.
The Senate President made this appeal during his keynote address at the 2025 World Press Freedom Day celebration organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Abuja.
The Vital Role of Information in Democracy
Addressing the theme “Voices, Vision, and the Vigilance of Truth: The Role of the Legislature and the Press in Nation Building,” Akpabio described accurate information as essential for democracy.
“A nation without information is like a blindfolded captain,” Akpabio stated. “Citizens must have access to reliable information to hold their leaders accountable.”
He highlighted the dangers of misinformation in the digital age and stressed the need for media vigilance in maintaining democratic values.
Legislature and Press as Partners in Nation Building
Akpabio likened the legislature to “the microphone of the people,” emphasizing its role in transforming public concerns into policies. He called access to credible information “the oxygen that keeps democracy breathing.”
The Senate President urged journalists to remain professional and serve as “guardians of memory and interpreters of meaning,” fostering constructive dialogue to strengthen democratic institutions.
NUJ Reaffirms Commitment to Press Freedom
NUJ President Comrade Alhassan Yahaya reiterated the union’s dedication to promoting press freedom while acknowledging the challenges journalists face, including threats and intimidation.
Yahaya called for improved safety measures for media practitioners and urged the government to translate its support for free speech into concrete actions.
2025 Press Freedom Awards
The event featured the presentation of NUJ’s Annual Press Freedom and Good Governance Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to journalism and national development.
Award Recipients Included:
- Torch Bearers of Press Freedom: Jide Oyekunle, Idibia Gabriel, Matthew Ochei, Lucy Ezeliora, Ibrahim Ayyuba Isah, and Ibrahim Isha
- Good Governance Awards: Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Arc. Sunny Echono, Dr. Emem Omokaro, NNPC Ltd, Julius Berger Nigeria, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), and Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State
- Defender of Press Freedom Award: Chief Henry Akunebu (SAN)
The 2025 World Press Freedom Day celebration served as a powerful reminder of journalism’s crucial role in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and promoting good governance.
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