ABUJA, JULY 1, 2016 – The Nigerian Press Council (NPC) has advised government officials and other stakeholders to respect the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act by making information available to journalists and the citizens.The Executive Secretary, NPC, Mr Nnamdi Njemanze, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Friday.
Njemanze said it was imperative for government officials to encourage journalists to discharge their duties and responsibilities as watchdogs of public office holders.
He said that the FOI was considered the most important piece, which had helped to push the frontiers of journalism in the country.
The NPC boss, however, warned journalists against unethical behaviour and enjoined them to always follow the ethics of the profession while carrying out their duties.
Njemanze also appealed to security agencies to respect and uphold the rights and freedom of journalists in the country.
Besides, the executive secretary urged security agencies to ensure due process in the course of their interactions or dealing with journalists in the country.
He reminded the security agents to see journalists as partners in development, adding that Nigerian journalists have contributed immensely to entrenching useful security information, good democratic culture and fight against imperialism.
He said that the council was working with relevant international partners to organise capacity building training for journalists in the country.
On training, the scribe said: “What was approved for NPC in the 2016 budget is less than N4 million, which is not going to be enough to train many journalists.
“Nevertheless, we will collaborate with multilateral bodies, Non-Governmental Organisations and journalists’ platform like NUJ to enhance capacity of media practitioners.’’
Njemanze also called on judiciary correspondents to seek proper knowledge of court proceedings to ensure accuracy in their reportage.
