Governments at the federal and other levels in the country have been urged respect the rights of the media while the press should be socially responsible in reporting national issues without bias.
Panelists at the weekly Journalism and Society Conversation on X space by the Wole Soyinka Centre For Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) who made the call on August 27 said the media and government should not be at loggerheads.
According to the panelists, national security and media freedom should be allowed to co-exist without hindrance from one to the other.
The speakers included the Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Kano state, Ibrahim Garba, Senior Correspondent at TVC News, Sarah Ayeku, Principal Partner at M.O.N Legal, Mojirayo Ogunlana and freelance Investigative Journalist, Patrick Egwu, while a Arise TV anchor, Omobolanle Adesuyi moderated the session.
In his introductory remark, the Programme Officer of WSCIJ, Olaoluwa Adeleye highlighted cases of harassment and assault reports of the press, the illegal detention and arrest by law enforcement authorities.
Adeleye cited the instance when the former Editor from First News, Segun Olatunji was harassed by armed military men, noting that national security measures are used by the government in silencing the press under the guise of protecting the people.
Egwu who pointed out that the State will always find a way to violate press freedom through censorship laws and surveillance.
He recalled how journalists fled the country in 2020 during the protest against police brutality, their phones were hacked and laptops bugged.
Egwu advised that journalists need to be socially responsible and should understand that their responsibility is first to the people without being biased.
While providing a legal perspective, Ogunlsna revealed that during the administration of the immediate former President Muhammad Buhari addressed the Nigerian Bar Association and said that national security will be chosen over the Rule of law.
According to Ogunlana, the legal landscape both regionally and internationally gives justification for government to restrict fundamental rights. Section 45 of 1999 says that right to freedom of expression, assembly, privacy, religion and thought will be restricted in the case of public safety, morality and health.
She said while some of government measures are contrary to Rule of law, journalists should accountable in public interest.
Ayeku noted that most journalists have connections with people in government which also affects their objectivity in reporting news contents.
She however said journalists should be allowed to access information without restrictions and interference from government in order to effectively hold those in power to account.
Garba also suggested that media should not be biased in reporting issues on national security.
