From Emmanuel Iyoho
ABUJA
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has called on journalists to refrain from fake news, defamation, sedition, hate speech, blasphemy and incitements of inflammatory statements in their reportage.
Malami, who made the call on Thursday, while delivering akeynote address at a conference in Abuja, said such menace could jeopardize the corporate existence of Nigeria as a nation and hamper the peace Nigerians and her neighbours are currently enjoying.
The attorney-general of the Federation, while acknowledging the contributions of judiciary correspondents to nation building, said it was high time media literacy be enhanced for Nigerians to appreciate fact-checking and verification of information.
“Many who relied on some unprofessional information disseminators will be taken aback that the Malami that was claimed to have resigned as attorney general of the Federation and minister of justice was still seen in office discharging his functions including attending the Federal Executive Council meeting yesterday, granting interviews to journalists and still today declaring this conference open as the attorney general of the Federation,” he stated.
The minister commended the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents for organizing the conference, saying it was a clear indication of working towards making positive impression and impact in democratic process and nation building.
“I am not unaware that members of the Judiciary Correspondents have been contributing tremendously in nation building through their constant reportage of the activities of the Federal Ministry of Justice and other stakeholders in justice dispensation in the country.
“Judiciary correspondents report the activities and happenings in the justice sector to the general public. The enviable contributions of the teaming members of the justice sector and particularly the Federal Ministry Justice are known through you.
“I must express my appreciation to you for your reports that culminate into the positive portrayals of the landslide and laudable accomplishments of the Federal Ministry of Justice, justice sector in general and by extension the Federal Government.”
He disclosed that the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice looked forward to receiving the recommendations of the conference in order to key-into factors brought forward in enhancing vertical and horizontal integration in the process of making people-oriented policies in the country.
The theme of the conference, “The Judiciary and the 2023 General Elections: The Way Forward,” served as an avenue for introspection and unveiling of action plans, future projects and strategic initiatives for consolidating the crucial role of the media, judiciary and electoral system in the country for the forthcoming year and beyond.
The Pioneer reports that the Conference, organized by the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents (NAJUCS),aimed at skill enhancement to facilitate effective discharge of participants’ responsibilities as journalists and important members of the society.
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