The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has refuted claims that President Muhammadu Buhari is planning to gag the Nigerian media, especially the social media circle.
The minister assured that there is nothing of the nature, stressing that Nigeria media has been acknowledged as one of the freest in the world.
Speaking at the 39th Session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation in Paris on Tuesday, Mohammed said the freedom of the media had been further enhanced through the Freedom of Information Act, adding that government would continue to make efforts to further enable the media to serve the people better.
Contributing to a debate on the “UN Plan of Action on Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, the minister said the “Nigerian government does not engage in impunities against journalists and will never tolerate such.”
“This effort is intended not only to produce a robust and healthy media, but for the journalism profession to continue to thrive under a conducive environment.
“The right to Freedom of Information, commonly understood as the right to access information held by public offices, is now widely recognised in Nigeria as a fundamental human right.
“By this act, the Nigerian Government is doing its utmost best to ensure accountability, transparency and openness,” he said.
A critic of the government had raise the alram that President Muhammadu Buhari was planning to censor social media in Nigeria.