We urge media professionals to help create an atmosphere of balanced, fair
and accurate programming that help voters to make informed decisions in
choosing their representatives.
However, the media can only be effective in the discharge of its
responsibilities only in an environment of freedom. The environment of
media practice in Nigeria is still replete with encumbrances. Journalists are
still victims of attack, arrest, detention and prosecution under all manner of
vicious legislations. Regulator cannot be expected to protect the liberty of
professionals when the regulator itself is also stifled. Policies, legislations,
regulations and practices that hinder professionals in the electoral process
and beyond must therefore, be removed.
Hence, we call on:
a. security agencies to demonstrate full understanding of the role of
journalists and other media professionals in the electoral process and
provide protection for them.
b. political parties to orientate their representatives on the election field
on the need to co-operate with journalists.
c. regulatory agencies to prioritise the protection of the freedom of
journalists and the media.
d. the federal government to complete the broadcasting sector reforms it
initiated in 2019, in line with international standards.
e. the National Assembly to complete the amendment process of the
NBC Act, paying priority attention to the independence and secure
funding of the regulator, transparency of the licensing process,
plurality of the landscape and liberty of the Media.
Dr Akin Akingbulu,
Executive Director, IMS
Word Radio Day,IMS Celebrates Radio Broadcasters Calls for Strengthening Radio, Providing Enabling Environment
