The Catholic Church has warned the Federal Government against any plots to gag the media in the guise of curbing hate and inciting speeches ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Speaking in Abuja in his homily at the Church of Assumption, Asokoro, Abuja to mark the 52nd World Communications Day on Sunday, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, His Grace, Cardinal John Onaiyekan maintained that the church would not hesitate to protest any clampdown on the media by the government.

Represented by the Director of Social Communications in the archdiocese, Rev. Dr. Patrick Alimuku, the Archbishop said the Catholic Church had always thrown its weight behind previous governments but would only turn against one when it abandons the welfare and security of its citizens.

Onaiyekan cautioned that the government must tread carefully in other not to infringe on the rights of Nigerians as it continues in its fight to contain hate and inciting speech across the country.

Onaiyekan said: “Today, government emphasis on hate speech may impede on freedom of speech; so we appeal to government to thread with caution on the issue of hate speech so that it does not gag the press in their editorials and reportage.

“As we inch towards 2019, any attempt to gag the press will be resisted by the Church. Media men and women are called to work in truth and in the pursuit of peace. The church wants the Good News to reach the whole world, but we can’t achieve this without the media.”