Some journalists have questioned the extent of press freedom in Nigeria, noting that the practice of journalism in our country has become replete with cases of abduction, illegal arrest, maltreatment, detention and even death.
Pointing to the continued detention of the President of the Humanist Association of Nigeria, Mubarak Bala, they noted that press freedom was a mirage, going by violation of fundamental rights of journalists and other citizens.
The journalists expressed their reservation at an event jointly organised by the Katamaran Deck, Zero Meridian Deck and Umalokun Deck of the National Association of Seadogs (NAS), Pyrates Confraternity, in conjunction with Eagle 102.5fm, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, to commemorate the 2024 World Press Freedom Day.
The event saw the journalists and the members of the decks of the NAS demand the unconditional release of Mubarak Bala.
Members of the decks who spoke at the event underscored the importance of press freedom and need for the protection of the rights of journalists globally.
Speaking at the event, General Editor, First News, Mr Segun Olatunji, who was recently released after the abduction, lamented that despite years of democratic practice, several Nigerians languished in jail for no just cause.
He said many Mubarak Balas had been forgotten in jail, which shouldn’t be so under a democracy.
Olatunji argued that no Nigerian should be unjustly denied his freedom and fundamental rights, particularly under the current political dispensation in the country.
He therefore appealed to President Bola Tinubu to take another look into the cases of all those Nigerians unjustly incarcerated and order their immediate release.
Olatunji said: “The near total absence of press freedom in Nigeria is a sad commentary on the country’s over two decades of democracy.
“In Nigeria, freedom of the press is a mirage and it will remain so, so long as the military and other security agencies, aided and encouraged by their new civilian lords, continue to exhibit this warped belief that they’re superior to the rest of the citizens in the country because of their uniforms and guns, which in the first place are bought with the taxpayers’ money.
“The practice of journalism in our country has become replete with cases of abduction, illegal arrest, detention and even death as well as the maltreatment and crass violation of the fundamental rights of journalists and other citizens who cry out against corrupt practices, illegalities and other heinous crimes being committed by the privileged few and those in the corridors of power, even under our over two decades old democracy.
“There are still many innocent Nigerians who are currently languishing in jail for no just cause. Many Mubarak Balas are pining away behind bars in prisons across the country. They have even been forgotten. This shouldn’t be so.
“Nigeria is under civil rule and no one should be unjustly denied his freedom and fundamental human rights. I think it’s high time the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu looked into all these cases of unjust incarceration of innocent citizens with a view to setting them free.”
Another journalist, Honourable Wale Adedayo held that press freedom should not be for the benefit for media practitioners alone but for all citizens being under democracy.
Adedayo further argued that citizens must be adequately equipped with information to effectively hold those they have elected into political and public offices accountable.
Adedayo said: “Press Freedom is not for the benefit of media practitioners alone. An informed citizenry, who’ll thus make informed choices, are essential ingredient in any genuine democracy. But for citizens to make informed choices, they must have access to information. Without access to information, there is no democracy. So, press freedom is essential for everyone in a democracy.
“Citizens must be able to question and see, first hand, what those they elected or appointed to serve them are doing right or wrong. It is this monitoring process that is encompassed in the process of accessing and releasing information. It shows that the elected and appointed officials of Government are doing what they were put in office to do. Any secrecy about such things is not allowed.”
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