Freedom In A Democracy

Man is born free but everywhere he is in chains. The notion of freedom stems from the belief that man forms part of the society and by extension demands some level of autonomy.

The evolution of press freedom can be traced to the first amendment to the United States’ constitution. Due to the prevailing circumstance that surrounded press coverage at that time one can undoubtedly say that the amendment came at just the right time.

Here, in Nigeria, the pattern of media operation and ownership hinge on the notion handed down by the colonial masters. We in Nigeria have not been able to define our own way of doing things. The fact that certain laws worked for the white man does not subsume that the same would be applied here.

Government over the years have seen the press as a veritable tool in championing any campaign as well as pushing forward an ideology.

In an ideal situation, the press need to be allowed to hold opinion freely and express views as held by the majority of the public. They are supposed to be the voice of the voiceless and the conscience of the  conscienceless. People should rely on them for  prompt information on policies and programmes of the government. They  help to bridge the gap between the people and the government and they examine the roles and functions of public office holders. This is why they are regarded as the Fourth  Estate of the Realm.

Any country without a press is like a house without pillars. And any attempt to bridle the press amounts to hampering the image of the profession as well as denying the masses  what they should know.

The hallmark of this  noble profession is built on truth telling it as it is and not being selective no matter whose ox is gored. Any country that promulgates laws geared towards limiting press operation and coverage of events is as good as not having a press at all. The onus is laid on the government and the masses to provide that enabling environment for the press to operate freely fairly. And no government has the right to tell the press what to publish, this is the bane of the profession.

On the other hand, a reliable press is that which adheres strictly to the ethics of the profession and ensures that the interest of the populace is its paramount objective.

The watchdog role of the press should not be denied. Hence, any law aimed at influencing and controlling their operation is not in the best interest of the citizens. The people are the reason why the press exist the press serves as medium through which the people can make their voice felt.

It is the duty of the government to enact laws that provide the press access to information protection of journalists, seek to improve the welfare of journalists and to a large extent encourages the propagation of goodwill, accuracy in reportage and responsibility in operation.

In so far as the press should be free, they are supposed to take responsibility for all their actions. But in a situation where the government tells the press what to publish then the accountability remains with the government. Some level of honesty is expected from the press that is why people believe whatever the press says. If this confidence is not maintained the press will lose its credibility and the people will have no “mirror” to view the society.

One cannot over­emphasised the role the press plays in the society, this is why the press must be allowed to operate freely.

Government should furnish information to the press. Though there have been the promulgation of laws which provide the press with a statutory right to obtain certain information and to observe many of the activities of government.

Those quasi-colonial laws that the British used to control the press should be jettisoned because some of them do not suit our present system of government. You would agree with me that the British Government only adopted those laws to suit their way of life.

However,        the government needs to spell out the laws to guard the press especially at the backdrop of recent violence which conflict reporting has caused the nation in recent times.

The aim of every government should be to bring government closer to the people and the press is an important tool in this regard. The people should not only know what the government is doing, they need to also know what the government have failed to do, what they have not given due attention to, in the best interest of the citizen. But it is unfortunate that the press is not allowed to shoulder this responsibility since it has an interest to protect and an integrity to guard.

In the light of our present democracy where freedom is best expressed, journalists should not throw caution to the wind by reckless reporting the activities of government. They should continuously play according to the rule of the game to sustain the gains of democracy.

Ani wrote in from Lagos.

Moses Ani