The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has said the inalienable right to access and disseminate information through an independent press is under attack, and called for protection of the media.

The professional group of all the editors in Nigeria also said while the threat to media freedom in Nigeria is real, the impact on the state of democracy in the country will be very dangerous, if not checked.

NGE made the points in a statement by its President, Mustapha Isah and the General Secretary, Iyobosa Uwugiaren, on Monday, to mark the World Press Freedom Day, celebrated every May 3.

According to the editors, “Today is a day to remind governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom.

“It is also a day of reflection among journalists and other media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics.

“We need to remind governments at all levels in Nigeria that a free and independent media that can keep the people informed and hold leaders accountable, is essential for a strong and sustainable democracy, including free and fair elections.

“Without it, Nigerians cannot make informed decisions about how they are governed; and address human rights abuses, corruption and abuse of power.”

The Guild said its members are concerned that elected leaders in Nigeria, who should be press freedom’s dependable protectors, have made several overt attempts to silence the media voices through propose legislations  – that clearly seek to criminalise journalism practice in the country.

Attacks on journalists

The editors added that apart from the regular attacks on journalists carrying out their legitimate editorial assignments by overzealous security agents, the current attempts to criminalise journalism practice in the country through obnoxious proposed laws, the suffocating economic environment and harsh political/economic policies of the federal government, have in the past few years, made it almost impossible for the media sector to carry out its constitutional responsibility for the benefit of the citizens.

“There is urgent need to protect the media; because the impact of the suffocating economic and political environment being created by the government will be very dangerous to our democracy.

“A threat to the media is a threat to our democracy.

“Governments at all levels must take the lead in making sure that their actions do not inspire violations of press freedom.

“A democratic society like Nigeria should know that it has a crucial role to play in maintaining media freedom and facilitating access to public information.

“Government should regularly take strong and immediate action against any violations of media freedom — this should include speaking out against violence against journalists and authorities’ failure/refusal to identify and prosecute attackers,” the Guild added.

The NGE also called on the federal government to make newsprints, broadcast equipment and all other consumables in the media sector tax free, in order to save the media from total collapse.

While saluting journalists, pro-media rights groups and others who have remained resolute in the defence of press freedom and independent press in the country, the NGE said that its ongoing Town Hall Meeting and Capacity Training Programme for editors in the six geo-political zones – being sponsored by the US Embassy in Nigeria — have also provided a huge opportunity to remind its members about the ethical values of journalism practice and the need to strictly adhere to those values.

Vanguard News Nigeria