Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum and Ekiti governor, Kayode Fayemi, says in spite of noticeable inadequacies, press freedom in the country must not be muzzled.

According to the governor, no matter the excesses being exhibited by the press, under no guise should its freedom be abridged or tinkered with.

“Even if there are excesses, the freedom of the press should not be restrained. We should look for other ways to correct these perceived inadequacies,” Mr Fayemi said.

Mr Fayemi made the assertion on Thursday evening at a dinner organised by the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Felix Ajakaye, to honour members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Ekiti Council.

The governor praised journalists for their struggle during Nigeria’s independence, and for daily risking their lives and jobs to enshrine democracy in the country.

“In the fight for our independence and the sustained agitations against the military for the journey to Nigeria’s democracy, journalists played prominent roles, even at the risk of their lives and jobs.

“The press stands for the people. It is the voice of the voiceless, though you may have some things that appear so terrifying now that we have social media because of lack of control.

“But you still have to go to the mainstream journalism to confirm because they have control and gatekeepers, who can be held accountable,” Mr Fayemi said.