Liyel Imoke of Cross River has pledged to continue to provide environment conducive for journalists to work in and without fear of molestation.
Imoke, represented by the State’s Commissioner for Information, Mr Akin Rictekks, made the pledge at a one day workshop on ``Safety of Journalists’’ in Calabar on Thursday.
Imoke said his administration had been a notable friend of the press and the media industry in general.
He added that it would stop at nothing to sustain the relationship.
"We have continued to promote a free press/society and we would stop at nothing to sustain the symbolic relationship in the years ahead.
"We will continue to provide environment conducive for journalists to work/carry out their legitimate duties as suppliers of information to the society without fear of molestation’’, he said.
Imoke said the workshop was very apt as Nigeria prepares for another crucial period in its political transition on May 29.
"Nigerians will not forget in a hurry the sacrifice made by Nigerian journalists during military regimes and the role they played in the enthronement of democracy in 1999.’’
The workshop, attended by journalists from South-South and South-East, condemned the intimidation and harassment of journalists while performing their constitutional functions.
This is part of resolutions reached at the end of the workshop organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
It noted that those that have meted out injustice to journalists in the course of their duties had often not been punished.
It called on the regulatory agencies to ensure that only professionals were allowed to practice and own media outfits.
The workshop further advised journalists to always observe the ethics of the profession and brace for new challenges of the Job.
It was reported that over 150 journalists attended the workshop.
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