David Mark
Nigeria’s Senate President, David Mark, has avowed his firm belief in the unfettered freedom of the press as the inevitable organ to guard and promote democratic ethos and values in the country.
According to Mark, press freedom is a sine qua non to sustainable democracy “because the media is the only organ empowered by the constitution to hold government and its functionaries accountable at all times.”
The Senate President, made this known in Abuja yesterday when the management of the Daily Independent Newspapers limited came to inform him of its resolve to name him Man of the year 2014.
He stressed in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, and forwarded to DAILY POST, that it was his conviction for press freedom that gave him the impetus to midwife the passage of freedom of information bill into law. He added that the bill has been assented to by president Goodluck Jonathan. (signed into law).
Senator Mark however reminded media practitioners of the huge responsibility associated with the press freedom to include but not limited to strict adherence to the truth, fairness to all concerned and patriotism to the nation.
He counselled against reckless reportage or using the media as a platform for negative propaganda to achieve parochial or selfish goals other than national interest, but noted that the Nigerian press was playing its roles as the watchdog of the society creditably and would want them to improve on the rating.
He appreciated the award of the man of the year and dedicated same to the 109 Senators and members of the House of Representatives who have been supportive of his leadership thus far.
In an earlier remark, the Managing Director of the Company, Mr. Ted Iwere explained that the award was in recognition of Mark’s excellent leadership of the Senate and mastery of rules and procedures of the legislature.
Iwere also noted the stability Mark’s leadership has ushered into the Senate and by extension the national polity which he said was a study in leadership.
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