*Never ordered arrest, intimidation of any media professional
*Pledges to assist expunge replicated, colonial laws hindering media practices
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has stated that President Bola Tinubu has never instructed him to tell lies, arrest, or harass any journalist over criticism of his administration.
Idris made this statement while receiving a delegation of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) led by its Deputy-President, Mr. Sebastian Abu, mni, and General Secretary, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, Wednesday in Abuja.
According to the Minister, despite facing negative criticisms and alleged defamation of character from some journalists and members of the public, “President Tinubu has consistently demonstrated his commitment to democracy and the rule of law and has never ordered the arrest or harassment of anyone”.
According to Idris: “There are times when the media instigate tension, but Tinubu never asked me to alter the narrative, lie, arrest, or harass the perpetrators.
“This is because the President is a true democrat who respects the rule of law”.
He highlighted the importance of constantly engaging with media stakeholders, including the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), NGE, and Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria, to address issues that may arise.
The Minister also commended President Tinubu’s commitment to press freedom, citing the establishment of the Media Literacy Centre (MIL) at the National Open University in Abuja by UNESCO.
According to Idris, the centre will enhance media literacy in Nigeria and help combat fake news and misinformation.
“We value collaboration with the media and believe that it is essential for a functioning democracy.
“We will continue to engage with the media and other stakeholders to promote a free and responsible press,” Idris added.
Highlight of the visit was the presentation of copies of laws identified by the NGE for either amendment or to be expunged from the statute books for either being obsolete, repeated or anachronistic.
Chairman of the Nigerian Guild of Editors Law Reform Committee, Barr. Richard Akinola, while highlighting the issues stated that some sections of the Cyber Crimes Law for instance, had been part of the Criminal Code or laws on libel and slander, stressing that such existing laws ought not have been replicated.
He also cited the issue of sedition, which he said is a pre-colonial law that ought not any longer be in our statute books, especially after having been expunged by the Court of Appeal.
Making the presentation, Mr. Abu urges the Minister to liaise with his counterpart, the Minister of Justice and as well, the National Assembly to straighten out laws to avoid duplications or provide opportunity for some law enforcement agencies to unnecessarily harass and intimidate Nigeria’s latching on such laws.
Mr. Ukeh, who laid the foundation for the presentation, informed the Minister that the NGE embarked on a painstaking exercise before bringing up those laws, appealing to the Minister to accord it a priority among his schedules.
