From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
A Group under the auspices of Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) has said the apology by the former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani Kayode over his outburst on Daily Trust reporter Eyo Charles, is incomplete and weightless .
The Programme Officer, (Press Freedom) of the Group Joy Gidani stated this in a statement made available to media in kaduna yesterday.
The statement stated that Withdrawing the word ‘stupid’ is not enough apology for the harsh tones used and saying that the journalist has a small mind.
“We demand that a more detailed apology be tendered to Eyo Charles and every journalist in Nigeria as this is an insult on the Nigerian media. Authorities must ensure that the journalist is safe from consequent attack and harassment.
“Henceforth, politicians must desist from seeing journalists as their personal house aides that they can address without decorum, journalists should be treated with respect due them as the fourth estate of the realm.
“As a media organization that promotes press freedom, AMDF is saddened by this attack on the journalist by a respected personality and former minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. AMDF will continue to speak up against every form of attack on the media even as we make it clear that an attack on a journalist is an attack on the entire journalism profession,” the statement said.
