DUTCH REFEREE ROB DIEPERINK DIES WEEKS AFTER REMOVAL FROM WORLD CUP OFFICIATING LIST. (PHOTO).

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 Dutch referee Rob Dieperink dies weeks after removal from World Cup officiating list Dutch referee Rob Dieperink has died at the age of 38, weeks after FIFA removed him from its list of officials for the World Cup. The Dutch Football Association (KNVB) confirmed his death in a statement, saying it was “shocked and deeply saddened” by the news. His cause of death has not been disclosed. Dieperink was arrested in April by the Metropolitan Police in the United Kingdom following a report of an alleged sexual assault involving a teenage boy in London. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said officers responded on April 9 to a report of sexual assault at an address in Croydon and arrested a man in his 30s on suspicion of the offence. Police later said that after reviewing available evidence, including CCTV footage and digital devices, the investigation had concluded that “the evidential threshold had not been met” and no further action would be taken. Following the investigation, FIFA co...

STATEMENT BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND NATIONAL ORIENTATION, MOHAMMED IDRIS, FNIPR, ON THE OCCASION OF THE WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY. (PHOTO). #PRESS RELEASE.


 STATEMENT BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND NATIONAL ORIENTATION, MOHAMMED IDRIS, FNIPR, ON THE OCCASION OF THE WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY 


Today, as Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark World Press Freedom Day 2025, with the theme “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media,” we are reminded of the critical role the media plays in shaping informed societies, especially in an era increasingly defined by technology.


As we commemorate this important day, let us all - government, media, and civil society - work together to protect freedom of expression while embracing technology that advances, rather than diminishes, the values we hold dear.


Let me reaffirm that the Tinubu Administration remains deeply committed to upholding press freedom as a cornerstone of our democracy. A free and responsible media is the lifeblood of any democratic society - it gives citizens the power to express themselves freely and hold leaders accountable.  In this new era, our resolve must be matched with action, through policies that promote media innovation while protecting journalists from the misuse of technology.


As part of this commitment, the Federal Government is currently developing a national policy framework on the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence in the media space. This framework will ensure that innovation does not come at the cost of ethics, press freedom, or national security.


At a time when AI-powered misinformation, deepfakes, and disinformation campaigns are being weaponised to exploit divisions and sow discord, the role of the media as a gatekeeper of truth becomes even more critical. It is not enough to report; the media must take a principled stand to protect the information ecosystem from being polluted by falsehoods and manipulated content.


Media organisations must be vigilant and must not allow their platforms - whether traditional or digital - to be hijacked by subversive elements, terrorists, anti-state actors, or ultranationalist groups, who seek to undermine our collective peace and the sovereignty of our nation. Granting such elements access to the public sphere without scrutiny not only endangers national security but also erodes public trust in the media.


Happy World Press Freedom Day.


Mohammed Idris, fnipr

Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation

Federal Republic of Nigeria.


May 3, 2025

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