World Marks International Day Of Democracy.

Today across the globe is International Day of Democracy.

The day, set aside by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007, was first commemorated in 2008 to uphold and promote the principles of democracy.

This year, International Democracy Day will focus on the importance of media freedom to democracy, peace, and delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals.

The UN Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres, in his video message for the day, stressed that democracy cannot survive without free press, freedom of expression.

Contributing, the chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Anambra State Council, Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu expressed worry that the media globally are increasingly facing attacks, detention; the use of defamation laws, cyber security or hate speech laws among others, which according to him, adversely their work.

Dr Odogwu affirmed that attempts to silence journalists are growing more brazen by the day and they often pay the ultimate price.

While defining democracy as the government that has been elected by the people to ensure the equality of all members of the society without discrimination, Dr. Odogwu called on the federal government to shun marginalization and equally distribute democracy dividends to all the geo-political zones irrespective of political or religious affiliation to avoid bitterness and rancour.

On the forth coming general elections, Dr. Odogwu charged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure that people’s votes count to prove to the entire world that Nigeria is a real democratic nation.