The Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO) has resolved to resist the government attempt to stifle the media’s constitutional freedom of speech in Nigeria, even as it set July 12, 2021 to stage a Front Page protest by publishing a common designed artwork in all the Newspapers.
The protest is expected to continue on July 13, 2021, with all newspapers carrying a front page editorial “with a central theme – denouncing government’s attempt to stifle the people’s right to know through its crude attempt to return the country into the draconian era of the military, even as we are in a democracy.”
In a statement signed last night by Mr. Feyi Smith, on behalf of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), after a meeting held in Lagos, said the July 14, 2021 publication will explain why and what prompted activities of the two previous days.
According to the statement, the outrageous bill proposed to regulate the print media via a press code and standards, grant or revoke publishing licenses, register or delist journalists as well as ensure truthful, genuine and quality services and media practitioners.
The media stakeholders’ meeting, however resolved that “that the proposed bill is unconstitutional as it runs against the principle and tenets of the rule of law.
