Mary Onyia
The Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, has expressed concerns over what it describes as anti-media laws and their threats to democratic values and free speech. The body of editors has therefore taken steps toward engaging with the government to amend or repeal those laws.
To this end, NGE has inaugurated a five-man committee to liaise with the Office of the Minister of Information and National Orientation, the National Assembly, and the Attorney General of the Federation/Minister of Justice to start a process of addressing the laws.
In a joint statement sighed by the NGE President, Eze Anaba, and the General Secretary, Dr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren, the professional body of editors/media executives, the body noted that its decision was informed by the ‘’chilling effects’’ of the legislation on the nation’s democracy and press freedom.
The statement reads: ‘’We are concerned about the negative impact of this plethora of obnoxious laws; some of them were enacted by the colonial government, which today are undermining accountability and transparency at all levels of government. Anti-media laws can make it more difficult for journalists to hold those in power accountable, allowing corruption and abuse of power to go unchecked.
‘’These anti-media laws also can restrict the ability of Nigerians to express their opinions and participate in robust public conversation that is capable of undermining the fundamental right to free speech.’’
The Guild added that despite the existence of the Freedom of Information Act in the country’s statutory book, anti-media laws have hugely limited access to information, thereby making it challenging for Nigerians to make informed decisions and participate in the democratic process.
‘’We argue that the huge deficit of trust by Nigerians against the government today is caused by these obnoxious laws. Anti-media laws can erode confidence in institutions, including the government, judiciary, and media, thereby undermining the legitimacy of democratic institutions.
‘’They can also concentrate power in the hands of the political elite and those in government, allowing them to control the narrative and suppress dissenting voices, including opposition parties, civil society organizations, and individual activists, as we are currently witnessing in the country.’’
The Guild remarked that there was an urgent need to deal with the danger posed by these anti-media laws to avoid a situation where authoritarianism thrives.
The Guild said that its interest lies more on ensuring that free speech and press freedom flourish in ways that enhance the nation’s democracy and by extension, good governance at all levels of government in the country, in line with the agenda of the federal government.
The committee members include a pro-media rights activist and member of NGE, Richard Akinnola; a lawyer/former Editor of Punch Newspaper, Gbemiga Ogunleye; former Editor-In-Chief/Managing Director of The Guardian, Martins Oloja; Deputy Editor-In-Chief/Chairman, Editorial Board of Daily Trust, Idris Hamza, and the General Secretary of the NGE, Dr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren.