Press Freedom Day: Peace Ambassador Tasks Journalists To Imbibe Ethical Practice

A Niger Delta born human rights activist cum environmentalist, Comrade Mulade Sheriff has urged journalists all over the world, especially those in Nigeria, to celebrate the 2019 World Press Freedom Day with the resolve to practice ethical journalism for the sake of sustainable peace and development.

Comrade Mulade, a United Nations Peace Ambassador gave the charge in Warri, Delta State to mark the World Press Freedom Day adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993.

Ambassador Mulade said the annual May 3 event was to sensitize stakeholders, especially the government, on the importance of Free Press  so that those in authority will respect and allow the masses express their opinions freely.

The United Nations Peace Ambassador commended journalists in Delta State and other parts of Nigeria for their roles in the sustenance of democracy in the country, as well as for their professional reportage of the 2019 general elections, which helped to douse tension in the country.

He charged newsmen to shun and eradicate fake news in order to bring  more honour and respect to the profession as it was in the past.

Comrade Sheriff Mulade who is also the National Coordinator of Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, appealed to journalists across the Nation to use their reports to promote peaceful coexistence among Nigerians, rather than writing negative reports that will destroy the Nigerian image in the global community.

He advocated for better welfare incentives for journalists, urging the NUJ and other regulatory bodies to ensure ethical practice and flush out quacks masquerading as professionals.