Umaru  Pate

Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right and a prerequisite for several other democratic rights

All our freedoms depend on press freedom. FP is the foundation of democracy and justice- UN SG (May 3, 2023)

The media is the lifeline of freedom of expression. Freedom of expression and media freedom are crucial rights for protecting and daily realising of other human rights which are crucial for good governance • Freedom of expression can only be meaningful if media channels and their professionals are independent and professionally capable of freely and safely gathering, processing and disseminating public information

Freedom of expression

The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights – Article 19 states: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression, this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

The African Union’s Commission on Human and Peoples Rights: Freedom of expression and information, including the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas, either orally in writing or in print… including across frontiers is a fundamental and inalienable human right, and an indispensable component of democracy No one shall be subject to arbitrary interference with his or her freedom of expression”

Cho 4 of the 1999 Constitution as amended and many human rights instruments •There is a positive and direct relationship between freedom of expression and good governance, the more open the system, the higher the quality of governance

Freedom of speech: why?

• FS gives us our full individual humanity It enables us to find the truth (Market place of ideas)

⚫It is necessary for good governance It helps us to live with diversity

The context

The media works in the collective interest of the people and the nation as enshrined in the Constitution through diverse programming/content that addresses the needs of the people with special regard to their heterogeneity. culture, politics, economics, etc Nigeria has a comprehensive legal framework that seeks to promote the performance of the duties of the journalists; though there are breaches

One of such legal instrument is the Freedom of Information Act to facilitate access to information for public good as part of sustaining good governance The judiciary and other societal structures support and protect journalists and the media to be able to legally, professionally, and fearlessly access, process and disseminate information

*At all times, journalists require credible information to work with

Tension in the context

⚫The tension and violence in the country impact media freedom and safety of journalists in many forms of personal and organizational risks: legal financial, psychological, verbal, and physical risks such as kidnapping, arrest, censorship, threats, fear, intimidation, harassment, impunity, attacks on media houses, assault, arson assassination, raids and the confiscation of gadgets and publications

Also read: Nigerian Journalists Using Their Media as Propaganda Machine

• The 2020 Index Report branded Nigeria as: “one of West Africa’s most dangerous and difficult countries for journalists who are often spied on, attacked, arbitrarily arrested or even killed” (2020, WPFI)

The threats and risks are worsened by the absence of safety frameworks, weak legal and enforcement mechanisms, and the absence of mitigating. and safety protocols by media organizations and journalists

Threats to media freedom

• Confidence in the media is defined by technology, quality content, and credibility The Nigerian media industry is battling the challenges of funding, technology, content, credibility, press freedom, and professional safety in addition to fragmentation and changing media consumption habits of the citizens with the reduced attention span of people and rise of new owners

Truth is under attack from factories of fake news, agents of disinformation, and weaponization of information characterized by the intensification of hate and dangerous speech.

Challenges to media freedom

• Nigerian journalists operate in the midst of ethnic, religious, and political intrigues compounded by poor funding, low remuneration, professional ethical breaches, and corruption

Others are lack of resources and government pressure and potential surveillance (e.g Zamfara clampdown) •Possible threats from state and non-state actors and ownership interference may force self-censorship for personal safety which weakens investigative and data-driven journalism

• Journalists suffer from digital insecurity, economic and Consequences on press freedom and Safety

The consequences for press freedom and the safety of journalists of all of these developments are potentially devastating The fear and uncertainty of impunity, the threat of violence, governmental pressure, and the crisis of confidence in the media industry, all invite self-censorship and undermine professionalism and freedom

• The result is superficial journalism, passivity, and low morale in newsrooms as well as a weakening of press freedom and the watchdog role of the media (UNESCO, 2007)

Recommendations

Governments should fulfill their responsibility to ensure that crimes against media professionals are investigated and prosecuted Promote and propagate values that respect the media’s vital role in promoting sustainable peace, democracy, and credible elections in the country: emphasise the relationship between securing the safety of journalists and our own freedoms

Address welfare issues as poor welfare is a threat to press freedom and media quality, failure encourages self-censorship and internal corruption:

• The media community should have the courage to overcome the strangulation of independent sources of information and financial pressures on editorial quality and critical news content

Recommendations…

• Strengthen institutional collaborations & partnerships with agencies, CSO, and community alliances
• Imbibe and invest in ICTs ⚫ Institute fact-checking desks and abide by existing laws, regulations, and codes
• Seek immediate legal redress whenever rights and freedoms are threatened
• Be very conscious of safety and respect safety protocols ⚫ Uphold investigative and data-driven journalism.