A society without the Media can be likened to the dark ages.
This is why the crucial role of Journalism in informing, educating and entertaining the citizens in a democracy, cannot be overemphasized.
It also goes to explain why the combined provisions of Section 22 and Section 39(1) of the 1999 Constitution as Amended, guarantee the role of Journalists and the Media in nation building.
Unknown to some politicians and public office holders, Journalism or Media practice is clearly recognized in the Nigerian constitution such that it cannot easily be wished away.
Aside the three important roles mentioned above, Journalists also set agenda for those in government.
Unfortunately, corrupt politicians, public office holders and tyrannic leaders usually fallout with Journalists or Media practitioners on the obvious grounds that the Media exposes their high-handedness, corruption and other deficiencies.
It is this prevailing mentality that the Media exposes or can expose corruption and inadequacies of some politicians or powerful individuals, that appears to be a major reason some of them tend to wage unrelenting ‘war’ with Journalists or Media practitioners perhaps to quieten them.
These days, cases of Journalists being reported to the police on the alleged basis of criminal defamation, Cyber bullying or Cyber stalking, appear to be rising.
If care is not taken, allegations of criminal defamation may be abused or gradually become a ploy to detain accused persons including Journalists – sometimes for several weeks – before arraigning them in court.
Whereas Nigeria Newspoint advocates responsible and fair journalism, it is important to urge the police or law enforcement to be wary of politicians who may seek to gag the Press or Media practitioners in a bid to possibly intimidate them into shying away from their constitutionally guaranteed role.
There is therefore the need for proper investigation of reported cases (particularly, alleged criminal defamation) before dumping citizens especially, Journalists or Media practitioners in detention.
Law enforcement agencies can by so-doing, help protect the Media in the discharge of their constitutional role in society.