By Franklyn ISONG
Today is another World Press Freedom Day; a day set aside to mark the freedom of the press in the world over. This year’s theme is: “Critical Minds For Critical Times: Media’s Role in Advancing Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies.”
Section 39(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) has domesticated press freedom in Nigeria by declaring that; “Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information WITHOUT INTERFERENCE {emphasis mine}.
While Section 39(2) declares that; “Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of this Section, every person shall be entitled to own, establish and OPERATE ANY MEDIUM FOR THE DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION, IDEAS AND OPINIONS {emphasis mine}.”
This day to me is a day of retrospection. A day of looking back to the activities of the press in the country. A day to seek the soul and image of the press in our society.
Today i am appealing to the men of the fourth estate of the realm (the press) to do a critical review of the press in Akwa Ibom State.
How has it fared so far under the current administration of Mr Udom Emmanuel as Governor? For want of time, it is my opinion that this administration is not a media friendly administration. I say this with all amount of responsibility and stand to be corrected or challenged by any official of government.
This conclusion is drawn from the fact that on assumption of office of the governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel used the instrumentality of state to arrest, detained and arraigned the Editor-in-chief of The Post Newspaper, Mr Gideon Ekere, at a Magistrate Court along FULGA street, Uyo, for publishing what the state perceived as defamatory information.
While his deputy, Mr Moses Ekpo, also used the instrumentality of state to arrest, detained and arraigned the Editor-in-chief of The Ink newspaper, Mr Nsibiet John, at Magistrate Court 2, along FULGA street, Uyo, still on account of publication of what the state considered as defamatory information.
And last week, the Commissioner for Finance, Mr Linus Nkan, also dragged the Editor-in-Chief of Global Accord, Mr Kufre Edet, to High Court 7, Uyo, for publication of alleged defamatory information against him while serving as the Accountant General of the state, last year.
The case between the Governor and Mr Gideon Ekere is fixed for hearing on 19th May, 2017; while the case between the Deputy Governor and Mr Nsibiet John is coming up on 30th May, 2017, and whereas that of the Finance Commissioner, Mr Linus Nkan and Mr Kufre Edet comes up on 10th May, 2017.
All these cases are within two years of this administration. The administration has two more years to complete its term.
If in two years, it has such numbers of cases in court against the press and men of the fourth estate of the realm, what best word can anyone address this administration than to agree with me that it lacks good media relationship and has bad feelings against the Press.
It simply means, that the administration is an enemy of the press, cannot stand criticisms and believes in resolving its disagreement with the press in the courtroom.
As we celebrate today’s World Press Freedom Day, I call on government of the day to grant un-hindered access to the press in line with the FOI Acts in order to deepen democracy. Government should not see the press as its enemy but as co-traveller in Nation building.
I often say that every government begets the kind of press it deserves at a time.
Take a look at the avalanche of negative press the current APC led Federal government is getting each day, because the government is not living up to its bidding.
In spite of this, I am yet to see any journalist being taken to court at the instance of the President Muhammadu Buhari federal government.
What time would be left for the government to focus on governance, if it start going to courtroom with one journalist after another because of one publication or another? Agreed, journalists are supposed to live above board as the torch bearers and watchdogs of our democracy vis-a-vis society.
We are not supposed to publish information that we know are libellous and defamatory to one’s reputation and character, especially when such information has not been thoroughly investigated and possibly get all sides to ensure a balanced publication.
In the spirit of this day, I appeal to Akwa Ibom State Governor, and officials of his administration to think of new ways of resolving their differences with the Press and extend a hand of friendship to the Press in Akwa Ibom state by withdrawing all pending matters in courts against members of the Press community in the state.
Franklyn Isong is a public affairs commentator
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