Stakeholders in the Nigerian journalism sector have called for a more robust and free operating environment for the Press as well as the country’s press Council.
This position was put forward by a coalition of advocates of investigation and press freedom on Thursday in Abuja during a public hearing to amend a bill for an affect for the Nigerian Press Council as well as the Film and video censor’s board.
Mr Ayo Arogundade who made the presentation on behalf of the coalition recommended that punishment of erring journalists should be executed by the courts of law not any other body.
Ethical code of conduct
The paper presented which was titled, for a truly independent and free media also suggested that issues of ethical code of conduct should never emanate from the office the Minister in charge.
“Nigeria should copy other countries like Ghana where CEOs of government owned media outfits are not appointed directly by the government but by Press commission.
The board of such commission should have management control over the commission and the Executive Secretary whose appointment is by the President with confirmation by the Parliament.”
Meanwhile, former member of Parliament and Former President of Journalist in Nigeria, Sani Zoro said journalism in Nigeria is not a profession but a craft.
He called for a need for qualifications and entry standards just as medicine, law, engineering and other professions are operating in the country.
Mr Francis Nwosu who is Executive Secretary of the Press Council in Nigeria said the need for a good and standard code of ethics that will bind all professionals was long over due.
Nwosu believes that once the amendments are made and the Act is set, it will once and for all, rest the long drawn battle between the Press Council and other stakeholders.
In the second presentation which sought to amend the National Film and video censors board, the Executive Director of the board Adedayo Thomas said the idea of the amendment was apt and good for the industry.
He however said the issue of people coming into the Industry without proper identification must be looked into thoroughly.
A film maker, Mr Alex Eyengho said the Film and video censors board have duplicated functions which are totally out of their mandate.
He further suggested that the board be a department in the ministry of Information and Culture.
However, Mr Madu chikwendu a film maker suggested that the film and video censors board be renamed to be Motion Pictures Commission of Nigeria.
The House of Representative Committee on Information National Orientation Ethics and Values commenced a 2 day public hearing to amend some bills for an Act that affect agencies under its purview.
Lateefah Ibrahim
