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NPAN decries exclusion from press council bill’s public hearing

By m Msugh Ityokura and Sunday Aikulola (Abuja)
18 June 2021   |   2:56 am
The Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), yesterday, decried its exclusion from yesterday’s public hearing on the Nigerian Press Council (NPC) Amendment Bill.

Reps backs amendment, says freedom of expression constitutional
• CSOs canvass independent council

The Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), yesterday, decried its exclusion from yesterday’s public hearing on the Nigerian Press Council (NPC) Amendment Bill.

In a statement by its president, Kabiru A. Yusuf, the group wondered why as a major stakeholder in the industry, the print media owners were not invited to the event. 

It continued: “This is contrary to earlier practice when NPAN was invited to a public hearing on the same bill in the last Senate. This time around, we find it strange that we would get to know of this development by sheer happenstance.  

MEANWHILE, the House of Representatives has backed the proposed amendment to the NPC Act 2004 meant for enhanced freedom of expression in the country.

Chairman, House Committee on Information, National Orientation Ethics and Values, Olusegun Dokun and other stakeholders gave their approval at a two-day public hearing organised by the panel.

ALSO, members of the International Press Centre (IPC), Centre for Media Law and Advocacy (CMLA) and Premium Timers Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ) have urged independent and media-friendly council for a safe and healthy media environment.

During a public hearing on the bill to amend the law in Abuja, yesterday, the group urged the committee to take a cue from the Ghanaian constitution, by recommending the inclusion of press freedom in the lawmaker, while also suggesting that government should not appoint managers of public media.

IPC’s Executive Director, Lanre Arogundade, who read the speech on behalf of other groups, added that the board should have management control over the commission, including the Executive Secretary and the appointment should be made by the President through the confirmation of the National Assembly.

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