PROMOTING THE PRESS’ IMPACT ON NATION-BUILDING AS THE 2016 WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY IS MARKED TODAY TUESDAY MAY 3
The last time I checked, the Press could
be described 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 or 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 impact of the press on
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 educating 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 current crisis occasioned by herdsmen cannot
be properly approached or tackled 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 suchlike measure
cannot be achieved without the effort of the press.
Considering the just concluded elections
in Nigeria, we would agree to the obvious 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.
Inter alia, as regards the activities of
the political office holders or public officers at large, the press has helped
tremendously to fight bribery and corruption that is often exhibited by the
said personnel. 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
alongside the respective efforts of each of the government functionaries. Similarly,
the contribution of critics in national development or good governance through
presentation of constructive criticism cannot be effective without the press.
Against this backdrop, the United Nations
(UN) thought it wise to proclaim May 3 of every year as the World Press Freedom
Day. The World Press Freedom Day was approved by the 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 that is aimed at
restructuring the Nigerian democratic system. On the other hand, there’s 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.
More so, the governments at all levels
ought to stop further arrest and intimidation of activists whom they perceive
as critics of their negative political agenda or mission. Suffice it 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; hence, 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
(TheMediaAmbassador)
-Public Affairs analyst
& Civil Rights activist-
Chief Executive
Director, Centre for Counselling, Research
& Career
Development - Owerri
_____________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056
Twitter: @mediambassador
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