MEDIA RIGHTS AGENDA ACKNOWLEDGE THE WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY SEMINAR WITH THE PRESS AND SECURITY AGENCY

By Adenike Ashogbon

Media practitioners all over the country have been implored to enhance their personal security by taking time out to enlist factors that could debar the optimal security and constructively engage the Security Agency in issues or suspicions surrounding stability in security issues of the country.

This call was made by CSP Frank Mba , Force Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Police at the just concluded, World Press Freedom Day celebration cum seminar organized by Media Rights Agenda (MRA) at the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Ikoyi, Lagos

The program which had focus on 'Security the safety of Journalists', witnessed professionals from print, broadcast, online and Heads of Information units in Peristalsis at the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Ikoyi, Lagos.

Mrs. Olajumoke Araba, Officer-in-charge, UN Information Center, Lagos presented the UN Secretary-General’s World Press Freedom Day 2013 statement while Mr. Tive Denedo, Campaigns Director, Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Lagos gave the opening at the occasion.

 

CSP Frank Mba, Force Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Police spoke extensively on the Role of the Nigeria Police in Ensuring the safety of Journalists. His presentation cut across setting the standard responsibility of the Police Force, this to mention a few were; prevention and detection of crimes, apprehension of offenders, preservation of life and property as well as enforcement of all laws.

Mr. Tive Denedo, Gbenga Sesan, Femi Adesina, Olajumoke Araba and CSP Frank Mba

Frank noted that every person is entitled to Freedom of Expression, including Freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and infoamtion without preference with reference to the Section 39 (1) of the 1999 Constitution.

On the other end, he explained that though he’s not a journalist but to a very large extent, he can describe the roles of the journalist in every society. These were; professional responsibility, ethical responsibility, social, cultural and legal responsibility

On the other he enlisted responsibilities of the journalists, these include Professional Responsibility – accurate presentation of facts devoid of Fiction and person.

Ethical responsibilities: knowing the code of conduct, authenticate stories, social and Cultural esponsibilties which cuts across avoid offending the cultural sensitivity of the masses.

Legal responsibilities: obeying the laws of the land and avoid professional errors that could lead one to court on charges of Libel, slander amongst others.

He went further to note that, over the years he noticed that the Police as well as the Media practitioner view themselves differently due to the disparity that exist between them, thus leading to Perception crisis between these two personalities.

According to him, in the eyes of the journalists, Police is seen as Lawless, corrupt, unfriendly, unsympathetic, incompetent, liars, drunks, theieves, killers amongst other. While in the eyes of the Police Man, the journalist is seen as arrogant, disrespectful, trouble makers, unpatriotic, selfish, lawless, corrupt, unfriendly, bloody civilians, spoilers amongst others.

None the less, the role as well as the journalist has a well encompassing role to play in every society and this must not be under rated. Frank noted that the role of the Police in protecting the rights of journalists include; promoting democracy in the rule of law, providing a safe and condusive environment for the practice of journalism through effective crime fighters, taking steps to reduce the vulnerability of journalistsby protecting them from common occupational hazards.

Prompt investigative of reported cases of threats to the life and property of journalist, promoting the accessibility of journalist to police news and information and providing special security for media houses.

On the other hand, the journalist also have a role to play in enhancing policing functions include; crime preventive roles through proper education and sensitization, like giving crime preventive tips, unraveling crimes through investigative journalism, uncovering intelligence information, identifying useful leasds and clues for investigators points of convergence.

Femi Adesina speaking

Frank Mba however suggested that the way forward is for the Police Force to constructively and qualitatively engage with the media in unraveling crime and most importantly, the seamless flow of information between the police and the media would go along way in enhancing both sectors.

Conclusively, Frank enjoined both the journalist as well as the Police force to work hand in glove for the overall interest of Nigeria and Nigerians at large.

In line with the event, President, Nigeria Guild of Editors, (NGE) dwelt on the topic; Building Partnerships between the Media and Law Enforcement Agencies to ensure the safety of Journalists. During his speech, he ntoed that it is typical of the calling and journalism as a profession to have unsafe journalists. ‘the fact that murder happens and are never unraveled is what remains an irony. We are not saying we are above the law as journalists but there are different ways to enforce the Law. Our security agencies haven’t changes, even as the rights of the Nigerian journalist are guaranteed under the constitution.’

He went further to explain that just as the Nigeria Police Force are the closest to the masses as well as the journalist they should be more involved in helping the security of the profession and not see every journalist as their rival.

Femi went further to plea with the NPF to change their mindset that the media and Law Enforcement Agencies are Adversaries because journalist are more interested in good governance, development issues and this mustn’t be forgotten in such a hurry that the media has a certain niche in National Life.

Femi concluded by saying, there is every need for Security agencies and the Media to engage each other more by setting up a partnership that must be cultivated as the existing model between law and enforcement to the media is not workable, thus, the need for a better model that would bridge communication and relationship gap between both parties.

CSP Frank Mba during his presentation

Wrapping up the session was Mr. Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN), spoke on Strategies for Securing the safety of Journalism Online who advised all journalist to be online savvy and most importantly, maintain security consciousness, reconsider free (unencrypted) email.