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How Free is the Nigerian Press?  

The Nigerian Press Organisation, NPO Photo
The Nigerian Press Organisation, NPO


Democracy is perceived as a structure which, ordinarily, should be strongly built for those sheltered by it. Consequently, it is sustained by certain pillars, so to speak, without which it cannot stand. One of such pillars…, is the press. Others are: the legislature, the constitution, political parties, impartial judiciary, independent electoral umpire, etcetera, but this piece focuses on the press. Described as the Fourth Estate of the Realm, the press is expected to have equal recognition as the first three institutions of executive, legislature and judiciary respectively. But today, the press does not enjoy that equal status and recognition.    
May 3rd was marked all over the world as world Press Freedom Day. The concept is an ideal which the press everywhere in the globe crave for. This, apart from helping to establish the profession to conform with global best practices, it is also to indeed strengthen its position as the fourth estate of the realm as well as ensure its practitioners’ access to classified and other information for news gathering and reporting. Generally, the press has the primary responsibility to inform, educate and entertain society. It also has a duty to put government on its toes by serving as watchdog on it.  

Even in a democracy, the press still faces tougher measures, and cat and dog co-existence with the government of the day. The press is mostly seen by Nigerian government as enemy. Share on X


Mokuye sent this piece from ILESA, Osun state. He can be reached on smkuye@gmail.com or 08061645953 

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Written by Smart Mokuye

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