SDGs can’t be achieved without free press – Professor Talabi - Vanguard News

The Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations Organisation may not be achieved in Nigeria in the absence of a free press.

This was disclosed by Professor Felix Talabi of the Department of Mass Communication, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, while delivering the institution’s 26th inaugural lecture titled, “Episcopacy Of Journalism In Academia: From Millennium Development Goals In Humanus Directio”.

He said that journalism has been on the fore of ensuring justice, equity and fairness, as well as providing adequate information to the populace on government policy direction to ensure proper understanding and participation.

He posited that media censorship limited the proper function of the press, saying censorship makes the media loses its authority and independence, therefore becoming the ruling government “puppet”, hence, advocating that press freedom is sacrosanct to journalism and the society.

“Sustainable Development Goals cannot be achieved in the absence of a free press. As the academia and the press continue to fulfil their social responsibilities to make the world a better place, all hands must be on deck to ensure that our nation, Nigeria, derives benefits sustainably from the promise of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals”.

“The rights of man can only be guaranteed with the freedom of the press. Human rights are important to human existence and are sacrosanct to the growth of Nigeria’s media industry because the media play a vital role in ensuring that individual rights are guaranteed”, he added.

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