2015 World Press Freedom Day

ACKNOWLEDGING THE ROLE OF THE PRESS IN NATION-BUILDING AS THE 2015 WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY IS MARKED TODAY SUNDAY MAY 3

        

          

The Press can be defined as the news media and agencies collectively, especially newspapers and magazines. In the same vein, freedom of the Press or the Press freedom is the freedom the press workers/personnel have to communicate and express their views through the media including print and electronic. While such freedom mostly implies the absence of interference from an overreaching state, its preservation may be sought through constitutional or other legal protections.

         

 With respect to government information, any government may distinguish the materials that are meant to be public from the ones to be protected based on classification of the information as sensitive, secret, and being otherwise protected from disclosure due to its relevance to protecting the national interest. Many governments are also subject to sunshine laws or freedom of information legislation that are used to define the ambit of national interest.

         

The United Nations’ 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference as well as impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers”. This philosophy is usually accompanied by legislation ensuring various degrees of freedom such as freedom of scientific research known as ‘scientific freedom’, publishing, press and printing. The concept of freedom of speech is often covered by the same laws as freedom of the press thereby giving equal treatment to both spoken and published expressions.

          

Undoubtedly, the role of the press in nation building cannot be overemphasized. It is noteworthy that, the current socio-political, ethnic and religious intolerance in Nigeria can best be addressed by giving the press a free role not only in presentation of reportage but education the entire citizenry on the need to embrace absolute tolerance irrespective of their respective affiliations.

          

The ongoing Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria, particularly in the North-East region of the country, coupled with the recent xenophobic attacks in South-Africa cannot be properly approached without involving the press. In this aspect, the press would enable the citizens and other concerned or affected groups to know what is at stake as well as what is expected of them at any given time. Of course it is the press that would enable the general public to acknowledge the anticipated dimension of the said anomalies. Creating awareness and awakening the consciousness of the populace in this regard or in a situation of such, cannot be compromised, and such cannot be achieved without the effort of the press.

         

Considering the just concluded elections in Nigeria, we will agree to the fact that the role of the press throughout the exercise was not just enormous, but unquantifiable. It was the press that enabled both the security operatives and the general public to know where and when there was any form of pandemonium or security threat as the case might be as well as the nature of the incident. Among all, the press created an avenue for transparency as long as the polls lasted, which led to a credible, peaceful and successful exercise.

         

Above all, as regards the activities of the political office holders, the press has helped tremendously to fight bribery and corruption, which is often exhibited by the said officers. It is the press that enables the people to be fully aware of the steps being taken by the government towards addressing any issue or anomaly, as well as the respective efforts of each of the officers. In the same vein, the contribution of critics in national development or good governance through presentation of constructive criticism cannot be effective without the press.

         

Today, Sunday May 3, the global community is commemorating the 2015 World Press Freedom Day. The World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in December 1993, following the recommendation of the General Assembly of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The Day is an opportunity to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, assess the state of press freedom throughout the world, defend the media from attacks on their independence, and among all pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

        

As the world commemorates the World Press Freedom Day, there is need for all concerned authorities and groups in Nigeria to safeguard the Freedom of Information (FOI) law, which is aimed at restructuring the Nigerian democratic system. There is also an urgent need for the release of all the journalists and media personnel across the globe that are being detained unjustly by the police or any law enforcement agency. Similarly, the governments at all levels should stop further arrest and intimidation of activists whom they perceive as critics of their negative political agenda or mission. Suffice to say; the press ought to be given a thorough free role in reporting and seeking solution to issues that may threaten the peace and unity of our great country, Nigeria.

         

On their part, the members of the media must at all times concentrate on objective or unbiased reportage. Thus, they are expected to think beyond their individual interest in any circumstance they find themselves. In view of this, no member of the press should in any occasion or on any ground publish any news/story without embarking on thorough and adequate investigation. In other words, investigative reporting ought to be the watchword of every pressman. Think about it!

COMR FRED DOC NWAOZOR

(The Media Ambassador)

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frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056