Afrigather 
The Financial Group of West African States (ECOWAS) Court docket of Justice has ordered the federal authorities to amend some sections of the Nigerian Press Council Act of 1992.
Isaac Olamikan and Edoghogho Ugberease, two Nigerian journalists — had sued the federal authorities in 2021 for violating their rights to freedom of expression by imposing restrictive standards for practising journalism.
They added that the Nigerian Press Council Act of 1992 discriminated towards on-line and citizen journalists and did not recognise public curiosity media.
The journalists had alleged that Nigerian safety operatives arrested them individually at totally different places whereas they had been investigating and gathering info for his or her journalistic work.
The duo mentioned their arrests and detention had been illegal and breached their rights, and urged the courtroom to order the federal government to pay them $1 million as damages.
Delivering the decision on the matter, Dupe Atoki, choose rapporteur, declared that sections 19 (1)(a), 27 and 37 of the Act did not recognise public curiosity media together with the rights of on-line and citizen journalists, thereby violating article 9 (1) of the African Constitution on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), and article 8 (1) and 10 (2) of the declaration of rules on freedom of expression in Africa.
“For instance, Part 37 of the Press Council Act, places the minimal age to observe journalism as 18 years of age, whereas to be certified as an editor, requires a minimal of 25 years of age,” the judgment reads.
“Sections 19(a) and 27 of the Act impose instructional {qualifications} and obligatory programs of attendance and coaching earlier than an individual might be acknowledged and allowed to observe as a journalist.”
In its defence, Maimuna Shiru, director of civil litigation on the Federal Ministry of justice, and the federal government’s counsel within the case, mentioned rights to info and freedom of expression weren’t absolute.
Shiru countered the journalists’ allegations that they had been unlawfully arrested and detained by authorities brokers, saying the arrests had nationwide safety implications.
Though the judgment denied the journalists’ request for $1 million as compensation, the courtroom acknowledged the influence of know-how within the ever-evolving media house with the creation of on-line journalism.
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