Onaiyekan Kicks Against Media Clamp Down
The Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, His Grace, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has kicked against any clamp down on the media by the government ahead of the 2019 elections, stating that the church would resist any attempt at such.
The cleric made this known in his homily at Church of the Assumption, Asokoro, on Sunday to mark the 52nd World Communications Day.
According to the Archbishop, government must be careful not to infringe on the rights of citizens as it fights to contain hate speech in the country.
He cautioned that the federal government, in its campaign against hate speech, must ensure that it does not gag the press or impede on citizens’ freedom of speech.
Represented by the director of social communications in the Archdiocese, Rev. Dr. Patrick Alumuku, the Cardinal said the church had always supported governments, but would only turn against it when it abandons the welfare and security of its citizens.
“Today’s government’s emphasis on hate speech may impede on freedom of speech; so we appeal to government to tread with caution on the issue of hate speech so that it does not gag the press in their editorials and reportage.
“As we inch towards 2019, any attempt to gag the press will be resisted by the Church. It’s a day we are also called to reject fake news and yellow journalism. The journalists should at all times work in the pursuit of truth and peace in the nation,” he said.
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