Press Freedom and Fundamental Human Right in Nigeria ( a Study of President Muhammad Buhari 2015-2023

This study focused on press freedom and fundamental human rights in Nigeria: A Study of President Buhari’s Administration 2015-2023. Among the objectives on which this study was built include: to identify the problems militating against press freedom and fundamental human rights; to assess the nature of press freedom and fundamental human rights under the Buhari administration; also, to determine the challenges facing mass media and citizens’ rights in Nigeria; lastly, to find out the ways of handling these challenges. The study adopted the use of structured questionnaires as the major source of data collection, and the data were subsequently analyzed using simple percentages and tables. The study employed the use of descriptive survey design for its methodology. A sample size of 400 respondents was selected from the total population size of 21,619,400 residents within five selected states (Anambra, Imo, Abia, Enugu, and Ebonyi State) in the South-Eastern region of Nigeria. The findings of the study include: there are certain problems militating against press freedom and fundamental human rights in Nigeria, such as autocratic and dictatorial forms of government, poor government administrative structure, and unconstitutional or excessive use of executive powers by the president, which militates against press freedom and fundamental human rights in Nigeria. Again, press freedom and fundamental human rights under Buhari’s administration take the following nature: the Buhari administration infringed on the rights of journalists in their course of duty, hence, the Buhari-led administration witnessed incomplete press/media freedom. Furthermore, there are a myriad of challenges facing mass media and citizens’ rights in Nigeria, such as ethno-partisan politics which has fundamentally influenced the operations of media industries in Nigeria, mass illiteracy, and the absence of a lingua franca which adversely affects the mass media and citizens’ rights in Nigeria; and finally, lack of sufficient media outfits to match the ever-growing population of Nigeria hinders effective press freedom and citizens’ rights. This study, however, concludes that the importance of the press and free press is sine qua non to the existence of a virile democratic society. The liberty of the press is indeed essential to the nature of a free state (where freedom of information is manifestly prevalent), as observed by Sir William Blackstone. At the root of this liberty is the freedom of sources of information to make information/records available and unhindered to the press, for the benefit of the citizens and society at large. Therefore, a clear-cut expression or enactment of laws that empower the sources of information to freely give out information to the press and the public would add impetus to the drive to enthrone a better society, where corruption is completely eradicated and obliterated. Based on the findings, the following recommendations were made: the government should see the press as a partner in progress rather than a threat. It (Government) should stop the ostensible reliance on national security and interest to deny the press and sources of information the much-needed liberty to function effectively; moreover, there should be a clearly expressed enactment that guarantees freedom of information in the Constitution of Nigeria. These will clothe it (Freedom of Information Act) with the supremacy flavor that makes its amendment and derogation stringent and will also curb, stem, and/or obliterate the confusion currently festering in Nigeria regarding whether or not the states need to ratify or domesticate the Freedom of Information Act 2011. Finally, all laws or enactments that hamper the freedom of information and the press in Nigeria should be repealed. For example: Official Secrets Act of 1962, etc.