A civil society group under the auspices of Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), on Thursday, joined in felicitation with the Nigerian press on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day.
It, however, lamented that the press in Nigeria is not yet where it should be in terms of some level of harassment and intimidation they suffered from government officials.
Executive Director of CTA, Faith Nwadishi raised the observation at an event to commemorate World Press Freedom Day organised by CTA in collaboration with the University of Calabar, Theatre Arts Alumni Association (UCTAA) Abuja Chapter.
According to her, undue interference is still the order of the day while discharging their duties as media practitioners, noting that the government owes it a duty to protect the media because of their pivotal roles in society.
She made reference to attacks suffered by journalists within the lifespan of this administration, while also pointing out the fines awarded to some broadcast outfits over interviews anchored by their presenters.
Nwadishi said: “The press cannot be said to be free when there are still some level of harassment or intimidation, recently we saw where some stations were fined for conducting interviews in their station.
“We therefore call on all well-meaning Nigerians to join us in standing up for the press and protecting them from undue interference.
”We are here to not only commemorate the World Press Freedom Day but to celebrate the resilient and indefatigable Nigerian press and journalists who have kept the flag flying high amid stifling environment and circumstances.”