Press Council Bill, Major Threat To Media Independence – SERAP

Anti-corruption group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, has urged the United Nations to prevail upon the National Assembly to drop its press council bill, which it described as a major threat to media independence and diversity in the country.

In a statement on Sunday by its Deputy Director, Timothy Adewale, SERAP noted that the bill had passed second reading at the Senate despite widespread opposition and a lawsuit challenging its passage in court.

It called on the UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression, Mr. David Kaye, to prevail upon the leadership of the National Assembly to immediately withdraw the bill.

It said, “The proposed bill by the Senate is a major threat to media independence and diversity in the country and shows lack of understanding of the essential role of independent media in the sustainability of the country’s democratic dispensation.

“SERAP believes that a free and independent media would facilitate public participation, governmental accountability and improve democratic institutions.

“Criminalising media freedom would not only violate the rights of journalists and media practitioners to carry out their legitimate work but undermine the ability of Nigerians and others in the country to be informed on events of critical importance and participate in the governance process.

“The bill would escalate the growing threats and attacks on the right to freedom of expression and media freedom and have a powerful chilling effect across the country.”

SERAP expressed concern that the bill would restrict the free flow of information and ideas, “which is one of the most powerful ways of combating corruption and holding public officials including lawmakers accountable.