Goodwill Message By Mr. Erasmus Ekpang, Commissioner For Information, Cross River State, On The Occasion Of The Commemoration Of The 2024 World Press Freedom Day
GOODWILL MESSAGE BY MR. ERASMUS EKPANG, COMMISSIONER FOR INFORMATION, CROSS RIVER STATE, ON THE OCCASION OF THE COMMEMORATION OF THE 2024 WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY HELD AT THE ERNEST ETIM BASSEY PRESS CENTRE, CALABAR ON FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2024
Today, Friday, 3rd May, 2024,Cross River State joins the rest of the world in congratulating Journalists and the Media in general on this auspicious commemoration of the 2024 World Press Freedom Day. A set aside by the United Nations General Assembly to remind governments around the world of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom. It is a day of reflection among the media and to raise awareness on the fundamental principles of press freedom throughout the world.
The Cross River State Government wishes to note that this commemoration once again brings to the fore the very essence of the Media and its Practitioners. A proactive Press remains the bedrock for any democratic society. Central to the impression that information is a public commodity, it is essential to everything we do. More often than not, we trust the media with providing the information. Effective information dissemination helps people to engage meaningfully in the political, socio-economic and civic spheres of their Communities, State, Nations, and the larger world.
This Year's edition, being the 31st Anniversary of World Press Freedom Day, themed ‘A Press for the Planet: protecting Journalists and Scientists in defense of the Environment,’ has become abundantly evident that a free press is one of the most effective mechanisms that we have for furthering the protection of journalists on the line of duty while ensuring the protection of environment. It also behooves on practitioners to act responsibly in their reportage towards environmental protection.
As we continue to emphasize on factual accuracy, credibility, and more importantly, cling to the ethical standards of journalism which the World Press Freedom Day was initiated to remind us annually about this orientation.
In this regard, Government hereby restate her pledge to ensure the continued existence of a free independent press in our dear State so that every Journalist can operate without fear of molestation, while also noting the alarming effects of the present day digital revolutions in the Media sector that is virtually altering the information terrain and its modalities of production and distribution.
As a Government under the Peoples First Administration of Governor Bassey Edet Otu, we will continue to partner with the Media and other relevant stakeholders to protect freedom of expression and fighting misinformation in the Society. Government shall continue to fight all enemies of a free press society that promotes discriminations and crimes against Journalists in the course of performing their legitimate duties, with negligible attention paid to the punishment of offenders over these years.
Cross River State Government join her voice in condemning the continued persecution of responsible Journalists by repressive governments around the globe, some leading to imprisonment and death of genuine Media Practitioners and call for total restraint.
Once again, Government congratulates all Journalists on this special World Press Freedom Day 2024 with a renewed hope that the season of sweetness shall add greater value to this symbiotic relationship.
Erasmus Ekpang, anipr-0157952
Commissioner for Information
