UNESCO on Wednesday called on citizens to sharpen their minds to defend their freedom toward ensuring that justice and peace were achieved in the country.

Benoit Sossou, Abuja Regional Director, said this during the commemoration of World Press Freedom Day in Abuja.

The theme of the celebration was “Critical Minds for Critical Times: Media Role in Advancing Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Society”.

Representing Sossou, Simone Grego, the Science Advisor said freedom of the media should see to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal.

Freedom of the media should obey the rule of law enshrined in the 2030: Sustainable Development Goal 16 which is: To build a just, peaceful and inclusive society.

The media as the source of reliable information should provide platform for multitude of voices and mobilise forces for tolerance and dialogue.

We need original, critical and well researched journalism guided by high professional standards and quality media education.

This has to be combined with audiences that have the right media information and literacy skills.

Today, I call on everyone to sharpen their minds to defend their freedom which is essential for justice and peace,” he said.

The Regional Director decried that the media profession had been shaken with the rise in social media.

He said many journalists had died in the course of their job, adding that UNESCO was leading the struggle to ensure that freedom of the media was guaranteed across the globe.

The media business is being shaken to the core with the rise to social media, seasoned journalists are withdrawing the boundary of journalism, media credibility and accountability have been questioned.

These challenges merge with different transformation in societies.

In 2016 alone, 102 journalists paid the ultimate prize, this is unacceptable.

UNESCO is spearheading a programme – UN Plan of Action on Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity” with partners all round the world.

Critical times calls for critical minds,” Sossou said.

National President Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Abdulwaheed Odusile, said a free press would ensure a decent democracy and economic development.

Representing Odusile, Deputy National Secretary NUJ, Gbemiga Bamidele, said everyone had the right to freedom of expression and be heard.

Everyone has the right to freedom of speech, be heard, opinion without any danger.”

He said the theme of the year’s celebration was apt, adding that it would help journalists across the country restrategise to build a stronger profession.

In her remarks, Head of Political, Press and Information European Union (EU), Pauline Torehall, said freedom of opinion and expression was not just fallout of democracy.

According to her, it constitutes an essential foundation on which core democratic values such as the rule of law, accountability and transparency stood.

She said the EU had been supporting activities of journalists and writers in the country.

She added that the social media was complementing the traditional media in deepening public discourse and promoting transparency and accountability.

Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Garba Abari, said the media should extend its freedom in ensuring that stories about conflict areas of the country were inclusive.

Representing Abari, Fatima Abubakar said inclusiveness of stories would ensure that the media did not create conflict with their reports.

Other goodwill messages were from Nigeria Press Council, National Human Right Commission and Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union.

Paper presentations were made on the theme of the day: “Justice for all as a Prerequisite for Freedom of Expression and Sustainable Development”.

Other paper presentation topic was “Journalists’ Safety and Tackling Impunity: How can Crimes against Media Workers be addressed?”

The World Press Freedom Day was established in 1997 by UN General Assembly to raise awareness on the importance of freedom of the press.

It was also established to remind governments of their duties to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression.