An Appraisal Of Press Freedom In Nigeria Under Civilian Rule
[A CASE STUDY OF OLUSEGUN OBASANJO REGIME 1999 – 2004]

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

For the press to play their basic roles, it must exercise fully its freedom.  In other words, for the freedom of the press to be fully appreciated, we must understand the implication of t citizen having a fundamental right to free access to facts in all matters that directly or indirectly concern him and also the right to express and publish its opinion thereon.

In describing the operation of the press in their book entitled four theories of the press, Siebert, Peterson and Schramn (1985) said that “The Press is not an instrument of government but a device for presenting evidence and argument on the basis of which the people can check on government and make up their minds as to its policy.  It is imperative that the press be free from control and influence so that truth can emerge.

On this premise, the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 14, 1946 declared, “freedom of information is a fundamental human right and is the corner stone of all freedom to which the United Nations is consecrated”.  

1. According to the sub-committee of Common Wealth Press Union headed by Lord Shawcross, freedom of the press is “the freedom that is not a special privilege of Newspaper but derives from fundamental right of every person to have full and free access to the facts in all matters that affects him”.  With regards to these fundamental rights, the press are expected to be free to gather news without obstruction or restriction to publish the news and to comment on it.

2. The Nigerian Constitution of 1989 Section 38 Sub-section 1 concedes that right to freedom of expression and the press by stating that “every person is entitled to freedom of expression including freedom to hold opinion and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.

The administration and governance of Nigeria was predominantly military after independence in 1960 and a coup in 1966.  The military ruled the country with successive coups until 1979 when there was a brief democracy, which lasted for four years before another army take-over in 1983.  The military ruled until May 29th 1999 when it handed over the mantle of leadership to a democratically elected government led by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

The media as the fourth arm of government was not spared from the military obnoxious policies.  Their control, which was determined by decrees led to outright closure of media house, death of some media practitioners, intimidation and harassment etc.

3. The closure of Newspaper organizations like Newwatch in April 1987, the Guardian in May 1991, Tell Magazine in August 1993 etc.

The imprisonment of journalists over reports government felt was antagonistic saw the likes of Tunde Thompson and Nduka Irabor jailed under the infamous decrees 4 in 1987.  Others include Chris Okolie, Innocent Okparadike, Editor of the Observe in Benin etc.  All these happening under the military regime did not make it conducive for the press to function optimally.  The military may not be entirely written off as enemies of the media because they ushered in an era that led to competition among various media organizations.  This is because the excessive dictatorial tendencies of the military caused the press to become more daring and committed to seeking its freedom.