The Federal Government has said that the recent attack on TVC and The Nation by the EndSARS protesters was aimed at sabotaging press freedom.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed on Saturday while addressing reporters in Lagos after visiting the two affected media houses, condemned the attack adding that no explanation could justify the actions.
AFRIPOST reports that EndSARS protesters who were angered by the Lekki massacre destroyed government properties in the state which included The Nation newspaper house and TVC news station.
The Minister said the action was a premeditated attempt to silence the voice of reason and stifle press freedom.
“We believe that the attack on the Nation is not just an attack on the Vintage Press, it’s an attack on the free press, it’s an attack on democracy, because there can be no virile and robust democracy without a free media.
“Therefore, an attack on the Nation or any media house is a direct attack on freedom of speech and also democracy and, honestly, we believe that there is no justification whatsoever for the attack,” Mohammed said.
“The fact that within a few days you were able to return to the stand and on air, I think it’s a big blow to the attackers, who thought they could shut out the light of press freedom,” the Minister added.