House Of Reps To Review Press Freedom Restrictions

• House of Representatives commits to reviewing laws restricting press freedom.

• Rotimi emphasizes creating an enabling environment for journalists.

• Aiyetan urges ethical journalism and collaboration with NBC.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that the House of Representatives announced its commitment to reassessing laws and practices that restrict press freedom and hinder the media’s constitutional role in the country.

Rep. Akin Rotimi, Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, conveyed this message during a keynote address commemorating the 2024 World Press Freedom Day, organized by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Nigeria.

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Rotimi emphasized the legislature’s intention to create an enabling environment for journalists to operate freely while upholding their professional standards.

He outlined plans to foster good governance, transparency, and accountability through various legislative actions, including media engagements, public hearings, and town hall meetings, under Agenda 6.

Rotimi highlighted the collaborative effort between the 10th House of Representatives, led by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and the media to support the effective governance of the current administration.

Referring to Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), Rotimi underscored the constitutional obligation of the press to uphold the fundamental objectives and ensure government accountability to the people.

He acknowledged the challenges faced by the media, including security threats and financial constraints, urging stakeholders to work together to address these issues.

Despite the ongoing challenges, Rotimi noted the progress made in media freedom since the era of military rule in the country, particularly from 1983 to 1998.

Press Freedom

He urged the media to encourage introspection and self-regulation and also look at the self-defeating ways that the press delegitimizes their own struggle by not upholding ethics and addressing them.

Mrs Franca Aiyetan, Secretary, Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), who spoke during a panel session, urged journalists to always do their job in a way that would not consume the people.

Aiyetan, while speaking on the theme “Navigating the Intersection of Media Regulations, Press Freedom Advocacy, and Ethical Journalism in the Face of Environmental Crises,” noted that NBC was established to have a formidable Nigerian media.

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She said that NBC was not established as an attack dog for the government and, as such, would want the press to always work with it.

“If a detail about a truth will set two tribes against each other, then there is something wrong with that truth.”

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