In commemoration of World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) 2023, Executive Director of FAME Foundation, Ms. Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello, has urged the federal government to protect women journalists in the country.
World Press Freedom Day is celebrated on May 3 every year, and the theme for this year is, “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights.”
In a statement, Ms. Ogunleye-Bello expressed her excitement, love, and respect for the Nigerian media.
She specifically praised women journalists, while calling for an end to bullying.
“On this day, I celebrate journalists for their courage, passion, and determination to bring the news to every corner and nook of the earth. I particularly celebrate women journalists and ask for a stop to cyberbullying, threats to life, slut-shaming, and discrimination for doing their job. They have the right to practice journalism and report the news like any other person. The rights of women journalists are human rights, protect them,” the statement said.
She said as a journalist, she has firsthand knowledge of the difficulties facing the media in Nigeria.
She urged media outlets and personnel to “be vigilant and truthful in their duties, refrain from bribery, stop publishing false news, and instead defend the press’s integrity.”
