For press freedom in Nigeria

Freedom of expression is a beacon of hope for the general public, especially those who are victims of oppressors in the society. The fact remains that the press has been playing a vital role in the political stability of Nigeria as far back as 1993, following the annulment of June 12, 1993 presidential election.

Honestly, the press is instrumental to the success of those currently in authority in Nigeria. Any committee or regulation that will militate against the freedom of the press in Nigeria should be proscribed. The question is, what is actually prompting the authorities to gag the media? The truth of the matter is that there are leakages in various sectors that should be plugged. Rather than focusing on the media, they should focus on their modus operandi.

Stifling freedom of the press is a violation of the 1999 Constitution, which gives prominent roles to the Fourth Estate of the Realm. While the proposed anti-media bills will force internal censorship on practitioners, especially those in government-owned media. It can also lead to autocracy on the part of a government already operating a unitary system. The major role of the journalist is to gather news that has the flavour of veracity and credibility, process same and  disseminate it to the public.

The people in authority should give journalists in the country a free hand to discharge their legitimate duties so as to meet up with the standards of the profession worldwide.

Rev. Oladimeji Michael Olalekan,

Ibadan.

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