Prof. Tonnie Iredia, former Director-General of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), argued that the Nigerian media space is over-regulated, hindering the industry’s ability to achieve the freedom necessary for its effective operation.
He made this statement on Wednesday during the keynote address at the 2024 Annual Conference of the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria, held in Abuja.
The theme of the conference is “Democracy, Media Freedom, and the Imperative of Protecting the Nigerian Civic Space.”
Iredia emphasised the distinction between freedom of speech and press freedom, asserting that the Nigerian media lacked the statutory freedom needed for proper journalism.
He explained that while freedom of speech existed, it did not equate to the mandatory freedom required for the press to function without constraint.
According to Iredia, the Nigerian media needs a legal framework that guarantees press freedom, separate from the general freedom of speech outlined in the constitution.
On the other hand, Malam Ali Muhammed Ali, the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), offered a different perspective on the state of media freedom in Nigeria.
Ali acknowledged that while Nigeria had made progress in terms of press freedom, especially compared to past periods marked by military rule, he believed the media was largely free in today’s climate.
He recognised the freedom of speech but suggested that this freedom had led to some irresponsibility in the media, particularly with the rise of digital and social media.
Ali noted that mainstream media, often relying on unverified content from social media, could be considered irresponsible at times.
He also responded to Iredia’s assertion regarding media over-regulation, stating that while it might appear that the media was over-regulated on paper, in practice, Nigerian media operated relatively freely, even violating some regulatory rules.
Ali highlighted the challenges of dissent within media organisations, citing the example of employees in both private and government-run media outlets who might find it difficult to criticise their employers or the government.
