Absence Of Press Freedom,  Free Speech Is Absence Of God Given Freedom – AMDF

Absence Of Press Freedom,  Free Speech Is Absence Of God Given Freedom – AMDF

Zainab Tanimu

Kaduna, North – West, Nigeria

The Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) has expressed worries over the way journalists are being treated particularly in African countries.

It said many of the African leaders are working hard to muzzle the press and stifle freedom of expression and that any act that suppresses such freedom counters the will of God.

The Executive Director of AMDF, Iliya Kure stated this in his welcome address during the opening of the Africa Conference On Development Journalism held on Wednesday via Zoom and live streamed on Facebook page.

While delivering his speech, he urged journalists to display professionalism in their job and never to give in to pressure because it is their role to serve the people as well as hold the leaders accountable.

” We task journalists to continue their work professionally and never bow down to pressure.

“We stand with African journalists who are being attacked, imprisoned, or killed, because of their professional role of holding people accountable, especially leaders.

“Journalism exists to promote freedom of speech – in AMDF we believe, absence of press freedom and free speech, is absence of every form of God given freedom. We implore any leader in Africa that has problem with any journalism report, not to abuse power, by using agents to terrorise journalists, or media houses, but go to the court of law to legitimately seek justice – the courts are meant to ensure justice for all,” he advised.

Iliya Kure in his lamentation over journalists lack of projection on issues impacting on the lives of the masses  charged them to focus on stories that give voice to the voiceless  rather than paying greater attention to political leaders and markets.

 He stressed on the need to help monitor as well as evaluate public programmes and policies.

They should also follow-up on stories, to ensure that public pronouncements by officials are translated into actions. He added.

The Director implored journalists to as professional engage in development journalism saying, it is what will help move the continent forward.

Speaking on the relevance of the theme of the conference, “Emerging Technologies and Future of Development Journalism’, the emergence of new technologies he said are beginning to change the way things are done and that the conference will be discussing one of such technologies.

One of such  is the blockchain technology. Block chain technology  allows digital information to be recorded and distributed as well as a paper that will introduce participants to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.