As part of activities marking Nigeria’s 63rd independence celebration and its impact on press freedom, some media expert delved into concerning issues of journalists safety, media independence, the sustainability of media practices in the country, and discussed ways the media can hold the government accountable without repression.

They were guests at a special edition of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism’s Journalism and Society Conversation event titled Nigeria at 63: “What Hope for Media Independence?”. The event held on Sunday.

Mr Lanre Arogundade, the Executive Director, International Press Centre

Mr Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre, opened the discussions with a historical overview of threats to press freedom in Nigeria, from colonial administration to the country’s democratic government.

He recounted stories of how journalists in the past and present have been persecuted for carrying out their duties as the realm’s fourth estate. He added that, in addition to threats from the general public, Nigeria’s security agencies have taken the lead in preventing the press from exercising its rightful freedom.

Mr. Arogundade also pointed to the media regulatory bodies as another agent of threats to media freedom in the country, describing their actions in recent times as anti-media. He pointed out that imposing fines on media organisations without providing them with a fair hearing has hampered their ability to perform their jobs without interference.

He mentioned the laws made against press freedom are another way to silence the media in their operations, even when the country is no longer under the military regime, adding that despite celebrating its 63rd independence, the country’s report card with respect to press freedom in recent times.

“We have the challenge of legislation that attempts to curb press freedom. The fact that some of them were in the National Assembly still speaks to the evolution of journalists’ freedom. And I think one other challenge we are facing in terms of the evolution of the safety of journalists is the non-recognition of journalists as the first-line workers during national emergencies or crises, such that we get attacked in the course of doing our work.

“On October 24th, it will be the 3rd year anniversary of the killing of Pelumi Onifade around the period of the EndSARS protest, and as I speak to you, the body has not been released to the family despite appeals and petitions. That is the height of attacks that journalists face when they are doing their jobs legitimately and when they are supposed to be recognised as front-line workers.

“The other characteristic of the threats to safety of journalists we face is that is the fact we still have hostility towards the media on the part of the law enforcement and security agencies, whether it is due to historical reasons or whether these institutions have not been completely demilitarised event though they are security agencies, but there is an expectation that in a democratic dispensation, their attitude and approach should change towards that direction.

“So each time a development organization or press freedom organization releases information, you will always notice that a larger amount of perpetrators are usually the law enforcement agencies”, he said.

Professor Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika

Similarly, Professor Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika, a lecturer of mass communication at the University of Lagos spoke on the responsibility of the media to hold the authorities accountable in their reportage. However, she noted the challenges of the media from the government and the security agencies who have been suppressing the voice of the media from performing its constitutional duties.

The Professor also acknowledged the resilience of the media practitioners who have not been deterred from performing their duties despite the challenges they face. She further advocated for press freedom in the country, adding that it is the only way good governance and democracy can be achieved.

“We have a critical role as media personnel to bring the duty bearers to accountability. It is a constitutional responsibility which is in section 22 that we must bring all of them to account, so being the fourth estate of the realm the media is part and parcel of the realm. Generally, we are the country’s errand men, the watchmen and we have to watch over the realm.

“So in discharging these duties, we have faced a lot of challenges in the line of duty and these have implications on the freedom of expression and we know that some journalists have been detained and we also know that agents are trying to gag the press. Despite this, we can say that journalists have continuously and responsibly discharged their duties as enshrined in the Constitution, it’s obvious that they have been resilient in their jobs.

Cynthia Mbamalu, the Director of Programmes, YIAGA Africa

In her submission, Cynthia Mbamalu, the Director of Programmes, YIAGA Africa suggested advocacy for the reviews of laws as the solution to the repression of press freedom in the country.

She explained that the media and civil society organisations must adopt proactive advocacy in keeping a close watch on the national assembly against making laws that may impede press freedom in the country. She also stated that even though press freedom in Nigeria has improved, the country can still make changes.

“Basically advocacy for the reviews of our laws that could be more accommodating and a framework to facilitate the freedom of the press. There is reactive advocacy and there is proactive advocacy. The proactive advocacy is that as a people we have to constantly put our eyes on the legislative arm of government.

“Proactive advocacy will focus more on activities of lawmakers at the lawmaking stage and follow the conversations at the state and national assembly. The moment we lose sight of happenings at that level, laws to impede press freedom may be passed”, she stated.

Mr Yushau Shuaib, the publisher of PRNigeria, added media organisations must be able to generate funds independently apart from interventions from government and non-governmental organisations to become functional as the watchdog of the society and fourth estate of the realm.

He further highlighted advertisements and subscription-based media services as veritable sources for the media to generate funds to guarantee their independence, he noted that it will give the media the economic sustainability and financial capacity to hold the government accountable.

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