By, Olawale Ogunbusola

As the World marks Press Freedom Day, a senatorial aspirant for Òyó Central in the 2027 elections on the Accord Party, Hon. Wale Ajani, has called on media practitioners across the country to remain committed to truth, accuracy, and responsible journalism.

He also urged political actors to respect and honour journalists, who stand as vital partners in a real democratic setting.

In a statement issued on the occasion themed, “Shaping a Future at Peace,”on Sunday, Ajani noted that a peaceful and credible democratic future cannot be achieved without a free, independent, and responsible press.

He said press freedom remains central to peace, accountability, economic recovery, sustainable development, and the protection of human rights, stressing that access to reliable information will help to build trust between citizens and institutions.

Ajani who referenced concerns raised in UNESCO’s World Trends Report 2022–2025, indicated that global press freedom has recorded one of its sharpest declines in recent times, driven by misinformation, intimidation, economic pressure on independent media, and the growing manipulation of information, including through emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

According to him, the danger posed by falsehood, propaganda, and media intimidation becomes even more serious as the nation gradually approaches another election cycle.

Former Makinde’s media aide therefore charged journalists and other media professionals across  Nigeria, especially in Òyó State to remain steadfast in their duty to the public by reporting truthfully.

He called them to verify facts, reject sensationalism, and give the citizens balanced, credible, and objective information that can strengthen public confidence in the democratic process.

Ajani said: “As we prepare for the 2027 elections, I urge media practitioners across Òyó State to continue to uphold the ethics of their profession by standing firmly on truth, fairness, and public responsibility.”

“The media must not become a tool for distortion, division, or the spread of falsehood. At a time when misinformation can easily inflame tensions, journalists must remain courageous guardians of truth and democratic accountability.”

He also called on politicians, public office holders, aspirants, and party stakeholders to treat journalists with dignity and respect, rather than seeing them as adversaries.

“Politicians must learn to honour journalists and protect the civic space within which they operate. A healthy democracy depends on the ability of the press to ask questions, scrutinize power, and inform the people without fear, harassment, intimidation, or inducement.”

“As we approach 2027, political leaders must commit themselves to issue-based engagement and reject every tendency that seeks to silence or manipulate the media,” he added.

Ajani maintained that both the political class and the media have a shared responsibility to promote peace before, during, and after elections, noting that democracy thrives best where truth is protected, public discourse is civil, and institutions are strengthened.

He called on all stakeholders in Òyó State to see World Press Freedom Day as an opportunity to renew commitment to ethical journalism, responsible politics, freedom of expression, and peaceful democratic participation.

“Press freedom is not only about the rights of journalists; it is about the right of the people to know the truth.”

“If we truly want to shape a future at peace, then we must defend truth, encourage accountability, and promote mutual respect between the media and the political class,” the statement concluded.