18th July, 2015
Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano
Commissioner of Information in Kano state, Northwest Nigeria, Malam Muhammad Garba on Saturday declared that Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s administration will conform with the Freedom of Information Act, but urged journalists in the state to always abide by the rules and ethics of the profession while discharging their duties.
Garba who is the out-going President of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, also promised that Kano state government will continue to ensure that practicing journalists in the state will perform their responsibilities without negative influence from the government and its agencies.
Malam Garba spoke during an interactive session with journalists to mark this year’s Sallah celebration.
He further stated that the Ganduje administration will not subscribe to the practice of censoring any media outfit in the state but advised the Press to go by the ethics of the profession and shun junk Journalism.
“We don’t believe in censorship of media houses but they should at all times avoid sensational Journalism and be wary of hate speech in order not to undermine the security of the state and the country at large.
“The enforcement of the ethics of the profession is crucial to national development and sustenance of democracy. So I implore us, being members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm, to remember that we owe our country and the society a duty to ensure the sustenance of peace, order and development, even while discharging our constitutional duties,” he stated.
He also urged journalists to, “be sensitive of the environment so that we can always come together and discuss issues of mutual benefits for the people of the state.”
He also spoke on the need to ensure fairness, constraint and accuracy while reporting issues and events in the state.