The Federal Government, the National Assembly and political class have been advised to shun any practice or policy that can undermine or negatively affect freedom of the press.
They are also urged to provide enabling environment for media and journalists through provision of laws that provide true independence for them to operate.
Barrister Olumuyiwa Adu, the Advisor to Nigeria Liquified Gas Limited, made the call at the Awards and Dinner Night organised by Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ) Ondo State Council on Friday.
The PDP House of Reps Aspirant for Akure South/North federal constituency, noted that any nation where the media is silent, the nation would be doomed for destruction.
Adu, who was the chairman of the occasion, emphasised that the freedom of press would engender meteoric development of the nation.
He charged lawmakers at the National Assembly to enact laws that would establish the independence of newsmen and enhance the performance in carrying out their responsibility to the society.
Barrister Adu, who has expressed interest in the vacant seat of the Akure South/North Federal Constituency, said: “Any nation in which the media is silent, the nation is trouble, and any nation with a free media will be exposed to speedy development.
“It should be understood that journalists are not enemies of government, they only report lapses in the system and any serious government would correct such lapses when they read about them.
“It is pertinent to state that government and legislators should make laws that would guarantee the independence of journalists so that they can do their jobs without fear.”
