Newspaper proprietors decry worsening insecurity

NEWSPAPER Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) has bemoaned the worsening state of insecurity in the country and tasked the Federal Government to take necessary action to express its basic responsibility of protecting lives and properties of its citizens.Rising from an emergency meeting in Abuja, at the weekend, where it deliberated on the bombing of ThisDay, Sun and The Moment newspapers, as well as the threat of further attacks on more media houses, the association described the dastardly act by the Boko Haram sect as an onslaught on freedom of expression and free speech.A communique signed by the secretary of the executive committee of NPAN, Mr Feyi Smith, said the body condemned the bomb attacks in the strongest terms, while expressing solidarity with the affected media houses as well as 'profound condolences to the families of the victims.'The communique added that the press would not be intimidated or cowed in the discharge of its constitutional responsibility.It said NPAN, in the light of the climate of insecurity in the nation, had resolved to hold discussions with the leadership of the security agencies, to find solutions and to explore new ideas for resolving the challenges of insecurity facing the country.NPAN charged the media and all well-meaning Nigerians not to relent in promoting 'national healing, understanding, accountability and justice,' asking them to do all they could to pull the nation back from the brink.It thanked Nigerians and the international community for their solidarity and support for the media during the trying moments.
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