Leke Baiyewu, AbujaProfessional bodies and pressure groups in the media industry have opposed a bill at the Senate seeking to repeal and re-enact the law establishing the Nigerian Press Council. The bodies, under the auspices of the Nigerian Press Organisation, described the legislation as illegal, alleging that the bill is attempting to criminalise journalism. The bill seeks to establish an Act to repeal the Nigeria Press Council Act 1992 (As Amended) and to enact the Nigerian Press Council Act 2018. He said the NPO resolved that “the bill should be dropped forthwith until the determination of a similar case in the Supreme Court of Nigeria. “That the Nigerian Senate should borrow from best practices in other jurisdictions that have expressly provided for and guaranteed press freedom without any form of government interference.

Source: Punch July 23, 2018 15:54 UTC