I started my journalism career as a cub reporter – Gov Bala Mohammed

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has disclosed that he started his journalism career as a cub reporter.

The governor spoke on Thursday in Abuja during the public presentation of a book, ‘Media and constitutional democracy: Civic space, free speech and the battle for freedom of the press.’

Bala, who was the Chairman of the occasion and chief presenter said, “I believe that my invitation to chair this occasion and present this book on the media, stems less from my pedigree as a senator, a minister, and a governor and more on an account of my having been a media practitioner for several years, and who indeed started his career as a cub reporter.

“Politicians can sometimes be excessive in trying to constrain the media, and the media especially in this age of new and social media, can be excessive, extreme, intolerant and abusive in defence of its space or territory.”

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“Practitioners of both domains must continually call for dialogue which will stimulate understanding, tolerance which foregrounds respects, and the spirit of give and take which undergirds the building of consensus for the greater public good.

“It is by engaging in this form of open deliberations that press freedom, media rights, civil liberties and constitutional governance will be better served.

‘I am tempted to go on an on. However, I will conclude by saying that I price highly my vocations as a journalist and a public servant. Both roles lie at the base of Nigeria’s steady march towards progress.”