United States has commended the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) for defending democracy against all odds. Speaking in Yola, yesterday, at a three-day town hall meeting organised by NGE, the spokesperson of the United State’s Embassy, Jeanne Clark, said democracy is the only system of government that guarantees the rights and dignity of the people.
She said: “We have long appreciated when Nigerian journalists across the country go the extra mile to exercise budget analysis, examine policy and process, and target questions to further transparency.
“We are grateful to our partners, the NGE, for bringing us together to more deeply reflect on the freedoms afforded in a democracy, to network, and to share why a free press remains a critical foundation for communities in Adamawa and surrounding states.”
“We are proud to be here in Yola today for our third town hall meeting called to recognise the importance of a free media in a democracy, and to more closely examine roles and responsibilities as citizens and professionals in strengthening democracy.”
She pointed out that since December, last year, when President Biden hosted the Summit for Democracy, more countries have announced action plans to address some of the more insidious threats to democracy, particularly in terms of addressing corruption.
She added: “U.S. is taking bold action in five key areas – supporting free and independent media; fighting corruption; bolstering democratic reformers; advancing technology for democracy; and defending free and fair elections and political processes.”
In his welcome speech, NGE president, Mustapha Isah, said that the aim of the meeting is to ensure that journalists are operating within ethics of the profession in the interest of Nigerian democracy.
He pointed out that NGE is pulling resources together for the defence of journalists that get into trouble while discharging their constitutional duties.
