The United States government has acknowledged that the media in Nigeria is free with less government control and regulations.
The United States Ambassador to Nigeria Mr. James Enwistle has said the Nigerian media was a free one with less government control.
He said this in Abuja when he paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku a statement issued by the minister’s press secretary, Joseph Mutah said.
Enwistle said his tour of duty to various countries had exposed him to media restrictions but discovered that on the contrary, the media in Nigeria are open for robust debates and news reports.
“I have served in countries where the media is very restricted and there is tight government control of the media. So it’s been a pleasure to come to Nigeria and as I was discussing with the Minister, I found that the media scene is completely wide open. I can say that having recently spent a lot of time on television being asked some tough questions by journalists and there’s not a complaint, that’s a good thing,” he said.
Ambassador Enwistle who lauded the quality of journalism in Nigeria said Nigerian Media had high and knowledgeable journalists working in it.
In his remarks, Information Minister Labaran Maku said President Goodluck Jonathan’s commitment to free media and access to information informed his signing into law the Freedom of Information Act to promote transparency and accountability.
He said the government is supporting the development of the media because of the vital roles they play especially in a democracy.
He said this in Abuja when he paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku a statement issued by the minister’s press secretary, Joseph Mutah said.
Enwistle said his tour of duty to various countries had exposed him to media restrictions but discovered that on the contrary, the media in Nigeria are open for robust debates and news reports.
“I have served in countries where the media is very restricted and there is tight government control of the media. So it’s been a pleasure to come to Nigeria and as I was discussing with the Minister, I found that the media scene is completely wide open. I can say that having recently spent a lot of time on television being asked some tough questions by journalists and there’s not a complaint, that’s a good thing,” he said.
Ambassador Enwistle who lauded the quality of journalism in Nigeria said Nigerian Media had high and knowledgeable journalists working in it.
In his remarks, Information Minister Labaran Maku said President Goodluck Jonathan’s commitment to free media and access to information informed his signing into law the Freedom of Information Act to promote transparency and accountability.
He said the government is supporting the development of the media because of the vital roles they play especially in a democracy.
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