On the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day today, the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr. Femi Adesina, says it affords “us opportunity to reflect on the state of the media in our country, particularly post-2015 general election.

“One of the key electoral promises of the incoming All Progressives Congress (APC) government is zero tolerance for corruption.   And such battle needs a synergy between government and the media.   If there is any time government should strengthen relationship with the media towards a healthy, progressive country, it is now”, Adesina said in a statement last night.

“A free press will accelerate national development, give fillip to the fight against corruption, and engender a better society.   As once observed by UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, `freedom of expression, independent media and universal access to knowledge will fortify our efforts to achieve lasting results for people and the planet’.  No government can achieve lasting results without independent media.

“For long, the fight against corruption in Nigeria has been sluggish, even half-hearted. At the break of a new dawn, we must go beyond rhetoric.   The government that will emerge from May 29, 2015, must walk its talk on fighting corruption, and must take the media as an ally.