CITAD, KASCEPS Mark World Press Freedom Day with Call to Action

Kano State College of Education & Preliminary Studies (KASCEPS) in collaboration with the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) hosted a lecture series yesterday to celebrate World Press Freedom Day.

The event aimed to educate students on the significance of press freedom in a democracy.

KASCEPS Provost, Professor Sunusi Yakubu Ahmad, highlighted the crucial role journalists play in a democracy.

“World Press Freedom Day serves as a reminder of the essential role a free press plays in fostering democracy, education, and accountability,” Professor Ahmad said in his welcome remarks delivered by Deputy Dean of Student Affairs, Malam Bashir Sa’ad.

CITAD Executive Director Engr. Y.Z Ya’u, represented by Buhari Abba, stated that a free press is a vital pillar of democracy, holding power accountable, informing citizens, and fostering public discourse.

The lecture series also addressed the challenges faced by journalists today, including violence, intimidation, censorship, cyberattacks, harassment, and the spread of misinformation.

“We call upon all stakeholders to protect journalists, promote media literacy, and combat misinformation,” Mr. Abba said.

Dr. Shehu Abubakar of KASCEPS kicked off the event with a talk titled “Innovations in journalism to combat disinformation and fake news,” while Malam Abbas Yushau Yusuf, Editor of the Nigerian Tracker, presented on “The significance of press freedom in fostering democracy and development.”

The lecture series provided KASCEPS students with valuable insights into the importance of press freedom and the challenges journalists face today.