OPENING REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, HIS EXCELLENCY (DR.) ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI, CON, AT THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE NIGERIAN PRESS COUNCIL ACT, HELD AT THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY COMPLEX, ABUJA, ON JULY 23, 2018.
PROTOCOL.
1. It is my pleasure to welcome you all to this Public Hearing organised by the Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation on the Nigerian Press Council Act 1992 (Repeal and Enactment Bill 2018) SB 547. I would like to extend my gratitude to the Chairman of the Committee, Distinguished Senator Suleiman Adokwe – and the entire members of the Committee – for their work on the Bill and for drawing the attention of the National Assembly to this very important issue.
2. The Nigerian Press Council (NPC) was established via the Act in 1992, and given the mandate to ensure the highest ethical and professional standards in the media. The Council is tasked with regulating the activities of the media while protecting the rights of journalists. It is also mandated to monitor issues related to Freedom of Information and to advise government on measures to mitigate or discourage its infringement. Complaints against the press from members of the public would be looked into by the NPC, just as it would also inquire into the conduct of individuals or organisations towards members of the press. You will agree with me, therefore, that the Agency is a very important buffer between the press and the Nigerian public.
3. The Bill under consideration today is for an Act to repeal the extant law, and to re-enact one in keeping with democratic principles. As many of you will be aware, the current law was a creation of military rule, which sought to exercise a heavy-handed clampdown on the activities of the press. No doubt, this led to a considerable degree of disenchantment among the key stakeholders, particularly journalists, leading to protracted litigations and other implications, which have impeded the effectiveness of the NPC. All stakeholders agree that this state of affairs cannot subsist in our current democracy, and that a rebooted Agency is needed for these times.
4. It is in order to cast off the vestiges of military era approach to the media that we have drafted the new Bill. Today’s Public Hearing, therefore, seeks additional input on the Repeal and Re-enactment Bill for the Nigerian Press Council Act 1992.
5. The Bill expunges perceived draconian provisions of the extant law, amends some to fit current sensibilities, and inserts new clauses to situate the practice of journalism in a modern context in line with global standards. It would also grant autonomy to the NPC, while creating an institutional framework for the enforcement of ethical codes and standards, as regulated by practitioners themselves.
6. Ladies and gentlemen, given Nigeria’s current political climate and the role of the media in shaping narratives and driving public opinion, you will agree with me that an oversight body such as the NPC is of utmost importance to the country. Further evidence is provided in the adverse impact of the so-called ‘Fake News’ on the polity, and the potential to heighten tensions with respect to the various sub-national conflict situations currently being experienced in the country.
7. The NPC is in a special position to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy from both extremes of the media spectrum. This is why we are working to ensure that the guiding Act endows the Council with all the powers it requires in order to carry out its mandate without hindrance. To this end, this Bill is an attempt to correct existing deficiencies, revolutionise the NPC, and promote high ethical and professional standards for Nigerian journalists.
8. This Public Hearing is a platform for practitioners and members of the general public to air their views about the issues raised by the current law as well as the provisions of the Bill. The submissions of all interested parties, here present, will go a long way to assisting lawmakers in ensuring that the Bill is fit for the lofty purpose for which it is intended. I look forward to your contributions.
9. Once again, I welcome you all, as I formally declare this Public Hearing open. I wish you successful deliberations.
Thank you.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
