Nigeria, Oct. 23 -- The Nigeria Union of Journalists has asked the Bola Tinubu administration to defend press freedom and review laws that criminalise journalism in the country.

The NUJ stated this on Wednesday when its leadership met with Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Details of the meeting were provided by Mr Shettima's spokesperson. Stanley Nkwocha.

In his speech, the NUJ President, Alhassan Abdullahi, urged Mr Shettima "to take a firm stance in defending press freedom, and ensuring that journalists are not punished for doing their constitutional duty."

He also reportedly urged the government "to initiate a comprehensive review of colonial-era laws such as sections of the Criminal and Penal Code...