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The role of free press in our democracy (I)
The concept of a free press is universally
considered an indispensable and integral part of any democracy. It
is no secret that our constitutional democracy mirror’s that of the
United States of America. I find no better way to express the
significance of a free press than through that articulated in 1971,
by Justice Hugo L. Black, in the case involving the New York Times
and the United States. In that case the U.S Government sought to
censor a New York Times article that sought to reveal secrets
relating to the Vietnam War.
In his eloquent ruling, the justice noted among others that “The
press was to serve the governed not the governors. The government’s
power to sensor the press was abolished so that the press would
remain forever free to sensor the government. The press was
protected so that it could bare the secrets of government to inform
the people. Only a free and unrestrained press can effectively
expose deception in government and paramount among the
responsibilities of a free press is the duty to prevent any part of
the government from deceiving the people and sending them off to
distant lands to die .....” the above excerpt clearly expresses the
true meaning of free press and how it ought to function.
Section 22 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution gives identical powers
to the Nigerian press, it states, “The press, radio, television and
other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to
uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this chapter, and
uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to
the people”. The responsibilities and freedom given to the Nigerian
Press is strikingly similar. We must at this time measure the
performance of the Nigerian Press vis-a-vis its responsibilities.
But first, it’s important to note that for one to exercise his or
her duties and rights under any circumstance, he or she must know
what the duties and the authority to perform them are. This is where
it seems that the Nigerian Press needs some improvement.
On first impression, one could jump to the conclusion that the
Nigerian Press is vibrant and free, but on a second look one finds a
manipulated press, ready to care tar to the highest bidder and
largely uninformed. Rather than play it’s role of a watch dog, it
comfortably has chosen to be a lap dog.
Duties
Chapter 11 of the constitution starts with section 13 which stated
“It shall be the duty and responsibility of all organs of government
and of all authorities and person’s exercising legislative,
executive or judicial powers to conform to, observe and apply the
provisions of this constitution”.
This duty imposed by section 13 of chapter 2 is listed in sections
14 to 21 and in section 22, the constitution gives the right and
freedom to ensure that the government complied as required by
section 13.
It seems therefore reasonable to judge the press by the
constitutionally expressed standards. So like the U.S Press, the
role of the Nigeria Press must be that of a watch dog, employed and
given the freedom to inform the public. It really can be construed
the fourth arm of the government, whose existence is to keep the
three arms honest and functioning.
One area that the Nigerian Press seems to function effectively is in
the area of conveying information from the government to the people;
through press releases and interviews etc. However it does not seem
that the press understands that it has to be inquisitive and read
between the lines, and go beyond what it is told in order to inform
the public.
The government essentially sees the press as a tool for the
furtherance of its agenda. This view point has resulted in several
government officials openly advocating for partnership between them
and the press. In making such statements the government with the
acquiescence of the press, neglects the fact that both the
government and the press exist for the public interest. Whereas the
government has the right to publicize the good work it does, the
press has the obligation to investigate the information and report
to the public, or uncover the hidden things, after all the
government belongs to the people.
However to adequately perform its function, the press must be
informed. It must know that its function goes beyond reporting on
unsubstantiated facts, it must understand its obligation to the
people as enumerated in chapter 11 of the 1999 constitution. The
press must also understand the art of investigative journalism. It
must know that the judiciary is also a fair play in its reporting.
It must not be swallowed up in the current euphoria sweeping the
nation about the judiciary stepping up to the plate. Just as there
is corruption in the executive and the legislative arm of the
government, we must have a mindset that the same is applicable to
the judiciary, and it is the responsibility of the press to uncover
and report it.
Most of our newspapers are nothing but an extended arm of government
and those they interview. With the exception of a few, serious
thought is not given to questions that are asked the interviewees.
Most interviews are nothing short of free advertisement. There is a
disturbing tendency to report exactly what the government says, even
when it is clear that the story is not accurate, so long as the
individual is in power. But once out of power and out of favour, he
is vilified after the damage is done.
The Obasanjo case
Since our former President Olusegun Obasanjo left office, he has
become a favourite punching bag for the media. There have been
allegations of looting the treasury; buying Nigerian assets in the
name of privatization, cultism, sleeping with female political
appointees etc. these and more allegations have been levelled at
him. Some NGO’s have actually filed petitions with the E.F.C.C,
calling for his indictment and prosecution.
The question must be asked if someone with such a dubious character
would today be permitted to occupy such office if he had been
exposed by the media before the fact or would the press play along
and wait until he has finishes wrecking our economy. The point here
is, why President Obasanjo was not reported by the press while he
was committing the alleged crimes? Why did the press wait until
after the damage has been done, at the expenses of Nigerians?
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