The media the world over is seen as the fourth estate of the realm and the watchdog of the society. They keep the government on their toes helping to whip them into line in providing good governance and responsible leadership. It is clear that only a government that do not mean well for the people will seek to hound the media.
The President Muhammadu Buhari administration in all fairness relatively speaking may not be considered a monster against the media notwithstanding that there are pockets of incidents arising from the overzealousness of his security agents recorded against him. But the recent proposed amendment to the Nigeria Press Council and the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission bills are viewed as a grand design to confront and hound the media.
It must be observed however that in recent time the President is faltering on his relationship with the media what with the recent reaction and confrontation against Twitter. That has hardly died down and now the media bill which in the views of many media practitioners and promoters of free press and democracy is seen as draconian.
The proposed bill is already attracting wide spread reaction all over the nation leading the victims-media organizations, to move ahead crying out over the implications not just on the media but against the society at large. The Speaker of the House of Representative, Gbajabiamila has reacted interestingly that “I won’t support move to gag press underscoring the reason for the agitation against the proposed bill.
Some of the provisions in the proposed bill which is anti-press freedom include section 3 (d) which does not provide for judicial intervention before highly punitive measures are handed down by the council and indeed could be used as a political weapon against the press.
Section 33 (3) and (4) of the bill does not allow retraction or apology for wrongly or mistakenly published fake news but recommends a blanket sanction of up to ten million naira or closure of the paper for one year or both. There is also the provision that Council will now be collecting a certain percentage of the newspapers income, payment of licensing fees (does not exist now) and payment of penalties as well as imprisonment terms for violating the provisions. Above are just samplers.
The areas relating to imprisonment has been described in some quarters as criminalizing journalism. If the Buhari administration is not baring his fangs against journalists why indulge in this punitive measures that will turn to make Nigeria a laughing stock before the world. It reminds media practitioners the dark era he held sway as a military junta
News Echo condemns in its entirety every action of the government to clampdown on the media. Freedom of the press is not negotiable if the government appreciates it as critical partners in governance. If the government is sincere in upholding a free press it should allow the Nigerian Press Council be constituted by more of media gurus who should draw the professional codes and few government representatives.
It is a misnomer to have professional codes of conduct designed by people other than those of such profession just like no journalist should go to design professional codes for bankers or accountants. Government should apply dialogue by engaging the various stakeholders especially the Nigerian Press Organization.
Should the government press further we can only but foresee a war it will not win because it is doubtful if it can function under a media blackout.
