nationwide1:
No one who is well vested in balanced history of Nigeria and believe in democracy will support Buhari unless for selfish reasons.

If embarrassing a public officer is his reason for descending heavily on the press, then GEJ would have banned Nairaland and many other media outfits.

God bless GEJ for his tolerance.
God bless Nairaland forum.
God bless Nigeria [size=14pt]BIAFRA[/size].

ausdy:

Don't worry my friend. We re real people who visits nairaland either to read news or to post/contribute to important issues. So... relax those paid to give 744likes for any pro APC tread/post re on their way.
We love GEJ and we don't make noise about it. So... just wait for your likes. Thanx.

elantraceey:
Barcarnista please don't be quiet

barcanista:
I don't know why people are misrepresenting and twisting the words of Gen Muhammadu Buhari. As a citizen I am 100% in support of Press freedom, so is the General. However, freedom of the Press shouldn't be absolute otherwise they will be used to cause anarchy. If the press have anything against any public officer and they are really sure about it, they should publish it and allow for Government prosecution. They have to be sure and not gossip or be used to persecute officers on the pages of newspapers. However, false reportage using "our source" that will neither give a lead nor help a cause, and also fabricating news and ascribing to public officers should not only be discouraged but should be criminalised. The Whistle Blower act should be passed/strenghtened to protect those with valuable information. The Press needs to carry their jobs with ethics and checks like other professions. All arms of government have forms of checks and balance. We need to protect government officers too from false and malicious embarrassment.

GBTYO:
FASCISM

nationwide1:
No one who is well vested in balanced history of Nigeria and believe in democracy will support Buhari unless for selfish reasons.

If embarrassing a public officer is his reason for descending heavily on the press, then GEJ would have banned Nairaland and many other media outfits.

God bless GEJ for his tolerance.
God bless Nairaland forum.
God bless Nigeria.

Amya:


Please don't speak from both sides of your mouth. One of the core tenets of democracy is freedom of speech extended to the media. If a leader cannot handle criticism from the media, then he's not yet ready for democracy.

The truth about life, democracy, good governance etc is you'll never know what you have until you lose it.

barcanista:
My Dear, we have freedom of speech but it's not absolute. Your freedom of speech doesn't permit you to slander, incite, nor say things that are capable of leading to breakddown of law and order. Journalism as a profession is a noble one, it should be encouraged at all times and not be intimidated. However, Professionals in the field have the responsibility of ethical practice and abstainance from malicious, slanderous/libelous reportage. Just this morning, I read a thread from one journalist that alleged that General Minimah will install Interim Government should Buhari win. Though I'm not a fan of Jonathan, I rejected the report, and personally, I will want the journalist to be arrested and asked to explain to the DSS and the Police. We can't continue to allow journalistic impunity and still expect to develop as a nation. Whoever is sure of the truthfulness of his news should publish it and be ready to assist the government when called, otherwise, he should keep shut or face the law. My Dear, it's not about Buhari, it's about sanity.

barcanista:
My Dear, we have freedom of speech but it's not absolute. Your freedom of speech doesn't permit you to slander, incite, nor say things that are capable of leading to breakddown of law and order. Journalism as a profession is a noble one, it should be encouraged at all times and not be intimidated. However, Professionals in the field have the responsibility of ethical practice and abstainance from malicious, slanderous/libelous reportage. Just this morning, I read a thread from one journalist that alleged that General Minimah will install Interim Government should Buhari win. Though I'm not a fan of Jonathan, I rejected the report, and personally, I will want the journalist to be arrested and asked to explain to the DSS and the Police. We can't continue to allow journalistic impunity and still expect to develop as a nation. Whoever is sure of the truthfulness of his news should publish it and be ready to assist the government when called, otherwise, he should keep shut or face the law. My Dear, it's not about Buhari, it's about sanity.

Amya:

Defamation either through slander or libel is a tort, not a crime. When you have some strong proof that someone wrote a libelous publication about you, you can sue for damages. You can not arrest, detain or lock someone up for defamation or Ban a media outfit. It's a completely civil matter that ends in retraction or damages.
Now for people in the public eye, it harder to sue successfully for defamation unless that they have ironclad proof that the publication was written maliciously, then the case might end in their favour. Public figures voluntarily place themselves in a position that invites close scrutiny, whereas private citizens who have not entered public life do not relinquish their interest in protecting their reputation. So it's easier for a private citizen to win a lawsuit on defamation.
Again, so you know, you can not arrest someone for defamation, rather you bring a lawsuit which can only end in damages and retraction, not ban or jail. That's one of the beauties of democracy. Buhari goofed on that one.
The rule of law deeply entrenched in our constitution is what holds supreme in this day and age. Thank you.

kelvinginzie:
@Barcanista,judging from your very weak defence of Pa buhari,you are supppsed to be in kirikiri prison,for all the insults,and slanders,you have made against GEJ.
Since freedom of speech is a distraction to government-Pa BUHARI

VOTE WISELY MY PEOPLE.

APContherun:

We know the press can sometimes overstep its bounds but the best way to handle such isn't outright ban but like you said arresting the journalist in question and arraigning him before a court of law. What Buhari said he's going to do is outright ban which he doesn't have the power to do in a democracy.

You don't ban a journalist for publishing what you feel is embarrassing to you, it's the duty of the court to determine what constitute 'embarrassing report'. While we condemn any attempt by anyone to use the press to torment trouble we must also rise against any attempt to undermine press freedom.

Buhari needs to be given democratic education, he needs to be educated on the principles and values f democracy. It's obvious he knows nothing about democracy, there are certain elements that sustain democracy one of which is press freedom and that you can't take away otherwise we slide into Myanmar, Turkmenistan kind of anarchy and dictatorship.

rozayx5:
mods i will keep pushing this thread to first position on politics section till it makes frontpage

barcanista:
We have to be sincere with ourselves. You don't expect a public official to sue journalists and media houses and demand damages. What kind of message does that send to the public? Whatever is written of a public officer maliciously is beyond defamation because it is capable of not just tarnishing the image of the subject but could disrupt the smooth running of the government and create an environment of anarchy, which in itself is a crime. I gave you example of the thread on minimah, that article could cause unrest, distrust in the Army and also could make people lose faith in the electoral process. A public officer is not just a private citizen. Where have you seen a public officer sue for damages? It doesn't happen that way! If the journalist and the medium decide to retract the earlier misinformation, it is welcomed. They just need to be ethical, that's all!!!!!

barcanista:
I don't know why people are misrepresenting and twisting the words of Gen Muhammadu Buhari. As a citizen I am 100% in support of Press freedom, so is the General. However, freedom of the Press shouldn't be absolute otherwise they will be used to cause anarchy. If the press have anything against any public officer and they are really sure about it, they should publish it and allow for Government prosecution. They have to be sure and not gossip or be used to persecute officers on the pages of newspapers. However, false reportage using "our source" that will neither give a lead nor help a cause, and also fabricating news and ascribing to public officers should not only be discouraged but should be criminalised. The Whistle Blower act should be passed/strenghtened to protect those with valuable information. The Press needs to carry their jobs with ethics and checks like other professions. All arms of government have forms of checks and balance. We need to protect government officers too from false and malicious embarrassment.

Bawss1:
So Barcanista are you saying like Buhari that the press should be banned or stifled when they overstep their bounds?

Vig86:
Nigerians are blind and wicked to themselves. Vote Buhari and suffer. He will ban tweeter, facebook, whatsApp then we all go back to 1960s. Wicked people.

APContherun:

We know the press can sometimes overstep its bounds but the best way to handle such isn't outright ban but like you said arresting the journalist in question and arraigning him before a court of law. What Buhari said he's going to do is outright ban which he doesn't have the power to do in a democracy.

You don't ban a journalist for publishing what you feel is embarrassing to you, it's the duty of the court to determine what constitute 'embarrassing report'. While we condemn any attempt by anyone to use the press to torment trouble we must also rise against any attempt to undermine press freedom.

Buhari needs to be given democratic education, he needs to be educated on the principles and values f democracy. It's obvious he knows nothing about democracy, there are certain elements that sustain democracy one of which is press freedom and that you can't take away otherwise we slide into Myanmar, Turkmenistan kind of anarchy and dictatorship.

barcanista:
My Dear, we have freedom of speech but it's not absolute. Your freedom of speech doesn't permit you to slander, incite, nor say things that are capable of leading to breakddown of law and order. Journalism as a profession is a noble one, it should be encouraged at all times and not be intimidated. However, Professionals in the field have the responsibility of ethical practice and abstainance from malicious, slanderous/libelous reportage. Just this morning, I read a thread from one journalist that alleged that General Minimah will install Interim Government should Buhari win. Though I'm not a fan of Jonathan, I rejected the report, and personally, I will want the journalist to be arrested and asked to explain to the DSS and the Police. We can't continue to allow journalistic impunity and still expect to develop as a nation. Whoever is sure of the truthfulness of his news should publish it and be ready to assist the government when called, otherwise, he should keep shut or face the law. My Dear, it's not about Buhari, it's about sanity.

barcanista:
Bro, the General is not against press freedom