Abang: Press Freedom and That Obnoxious Order to Arrest Igbere TV Boss
By: Oluwaseun David
The fundamental right to seek and disseminate information through an independent press is under attack, and part of the assault has come from an unexpected source. The Judiciary should under normal circumstances be the staunchest defenders of press freedom but this has not been the case from recent happenings in the country. There have been explicit attempts to silence critical media voices and strengthen outlets that serve up favourable coverage. The trend is linked to a decline in our democracy: The erosion of press freedom is both a symptom of and a contributor to the breakdown of other democratic institutions and principles, a fact that makes this recent incident more alarming.
A Federal High Court Judge in Abuja, Justice Okon Abang recently ordered the arrest of Emeh James Anyalekwa, publisher of Igbere TV News and National President, Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN). The order followed a publication by Nigerian Concord (which was re-posted by Igbere TV News in line with global best practice for press freedom), claiming the court had concluded plans to jail at all cost, a former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, who is standing trial over an alleged N3.1 billion fraud.
The order for the EFCC, the DSS and the Police to arrest the publisher of Igbere TV News is an affront on the sensibilities of well-meaning Nigerians. It is brutal demonstration of the callous approach and judgement of a man who ordinarily should serve as one of the bastions of press freedom in saner climes.
It is evident that the goal of this vilification is to exacerbate an ongoing erosion of the public confidence in the media. Among other steps, the powers that be have repeatedly threatened to strengthen libel laws, revoke the licenses of certain broadcasters, and damage media owners’ other business interests. It is pertinent to note that the Nigerian constitution provides robust protections against such actions, but with the recent statement from Justice Okon Abang, the press now has less reason to believe that the judiciary will come to their aid if their basic rights are violated.
It is vital to mention that the press is not always the first institution to be attacked when a country’s leadership takes an antidemocratic turn, repression of free media is a strong indication that other political rights and civil liberties are in danger. An assault on media independence is a pointer to an attempt of the leadership of a country to crush perceived threats to their control.
This concern, which is deserving of sober consideration and policy responses, threaten to overshadow the gains of true democracy and press freedom. The aggressive act of media suppression and the institutionalisation of legal witch-hunts are aimed at undermining independent news coverage and ultimately weakening the watchdog role played by the media in democratic settings.
If nations with formidable military, political and ideological systems can change why can’t an individual? Therein lies the paradox of Justice Okon Abang who tragically does not seem to have changed his style, mindset and proclivities from that of the proponents of the infamous decree 4 which was a draconian and repressive press law with which scores of journalists were detained without trial in the 80’s. The greatest tragedy that can befall an individual, society or nation is the inability to change from ways of doing things that are decisively wrong.
Looking ahead, individuals and organizations wishing to explore principled responses to the threat to press freedom and democracy posed by people like Justice Okon Abang should focus on investigating and exposing stealthy and deceptive activities, increasing the sophistication and scale of policy debates, and upholding local legal standards. Except a proactive and prompt step is taken to check the excesses of Justice Okon Abang, we may be lending a helping hand to evil-minded individuals that are bent on pushing this nation to its precipice.
David writes from Lagos
