US says any attempt to stifle press freedom, unacceptable 

The United States Embassy in Abuja, on Monday, stressed the need for industry-wide engagement with media professionals to set up a structure for countering misinformation in Nigeria.

The Public Affairs Counselor in the American Embassy, Mr Adnan Siddiqi, spoke at a two-day ‘Train-the-Trainers Workshop’ on countering misinformation, which was co-organised by the US consulate and Mythos Lab.

He insisted that press freedom is vital to the sustenance of Nigeria’s democracy.

According to Siddiqi, the training was necessitated by the many unconfirmed reports circulated in the media about the just-concluded elections and the results.

He, therefore, explained that the capacity-building workshop would enhance the professionalism, institutional memory and sustainability of media practice in the country.

While noting that stakeholders would not allow covert or overt attempts to muzzle journalism practice in a democracy, he maintained that the principles of good journalism practice such as truth, accuracy, balance, independence, and protection of journalists must be upheld.

The US diplomat said, “In Nigeria, during your just concluded election, there were many unconfirmed reports circulated in the media about election results.

“Voters and readers were misled by the false information and it caused an immediate reaction.

“Many people in Nigeria just accept the content they receive through the media. Many others don’t believe even legitimate news, they distrust everything equally to protect themselves

Credit: Vanguard