THE freedom of the press is one of the greatest protection of liberty, and can never be restrained but by despotic governments. 'George Mason Freedom of the press is regarded as fundamental to individual rights. Without free media, a free society and democratic self-government would not be possible. The tenet of investigative reporting focuses on long-term efforts to uncover corruption or misconduct, especially by public institutions and government. However, inNigeria,freedom of the press remains limited, even with the recently-approved Freedom of Information (FoI) bill. The primary function of the press is to educate, inform and entertain the public, but in the contrary, government is always out to influence the press to project its image, especially in democratic countries but if the contrary happens, the journalists become the hunted. In a move aimed at preventing Nigerians from getting first-hand information about developments in the government house, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, on Thursday, January 5, 2011 expelled some reporters from his office in Alausa, Ikeja. Twenty journalists were expelled by the governor purpotedly to stop 'negative' stories from going to the public. His Special Adviser on Media, Mr Hakeem Bello, told the affected journalists that the governor had given the order for their expulsion from his office.According to a source, their misconduct was the way they reported the rigging of the just-concluded local government council election in the state; the brutalisation of Lekki toll gate protesters; increment in the school fees of the state-owned Lagos State University (LASU) and the fact that the governor is not happy that former governor of the state, Senator Bola Tinubu, is seen through various reports as dictating to him what he does in office, among others. Though, some of his aides made him to understand that his action would backfire as well as the likely interpretation the watchers of events would give to the development, as per the seriousness of the state government on its much touted rule of law and fears that it may engender in the minds of public, but all entreaties were rebuffed. While I concede to Governor Fashola the almighty power bestowed on him as the chief executive officer of the state to chose 'trusted' journalists and those who report his government's activities according to his dictate and in such a way that would not portray his policies in bad light. On the other hand, this action could be described as barbaric and unconstitutional. Though journalists are expected to be objective and fair in their reportage of events and should not by any means go beyond the boundary by doing hatchet jobs aimed at denigrating the state government policies against their professional ethics of 'say it as it is'. Thus, the governor's decision to retain the 'trusted' journalists would do more harm than good. It means only the trusted ones have been playing the game of reporting a panel-beated story.Ordinarily, media reportage should not pose any threat to the governor, so far his conscience justifies what he does and in as much as he has nothing to hide; clear conscience fears no accusation. Governor Fashola is hereby advised to stop chasing shadow and face the reality of fulfilling his electoral promises by making life more bearable for Lagosians rather than accusing the press of portraying his government in bad light to the public.Many cases of harassment and intimidation of journalists are becoming rampant in the country, even from the stable of those who suppose to know better. Governor Babatunde Fashola as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) ought to know the limit of his powers as they concern the right to personal liberty of individuals. He should have let reason prevail over an unguarded action that could further mar his profile as a performing governor.This trend is gradually assuming an uncontrollable dimension, the Ogun State House of Assembly at its inception in June 2011, illegally banned all the media correspondents from covering its proceedings except the state-owned media. It took the intervention of the state's chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and some well-meaning Nigerians before the House could reverse the uncivilised order. Also, one Mukhtari Ibrahim Aminu was arrested on February 2, 2011 and detained in police custody for more than 10 days on the order of Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State for insulting him on the facebook social network. The poor boy was charged for violating section 393 of the Nigeria Penal Code without recourse to fundamental right of the boy to express his opinion. These few instances are to show that freedomofthepress, in this part of the world is not being respected. The principle has long been established that the press may not be used in circumstances that would create a 'clear and present danger' of bringing about serious consequences to some significant interest that the government has a right or duty to protect. The General Muhammadu Buhari government's Decree 4, which forbade publication of anything that might ridicule or denigrate government officials shackled Nigeria's independence vigorously, surpressed the press and led to the arrest of a number of prominent journalists. Why are journalists becoming victims of executive recklessness' The reign of rascality occasioning total disregard for the Nigerian journalist from practising their profession must stop. Resort to intimidation, death threats, coercion and violence must stop too. Oke, can be reached via o.okepeter@yahoo.com.
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