THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2011- ISSUES, INDICES AND IMPLICATIONS FOR JUDICIAL REPORTERS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper examines the issues, indices and relevant matters surrounding the effective operation and implementation of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 especially by Judicial reporters in Nigeria. It is observed that the media is the veritable watchdog of the society that has the responsibility of keeping the public informed, educated and socialized. Its invaluable role includes making people know the day-to-day activities and dealings of rulers of governments- the executive, the legislature and the judiciary, most especially in effectively reporting judgments held in the courtrooms. Furthermore, since the media helps to ensure that the government knows the feelings and yearnings of those it governs, there should be a freedom of the press as guaranteed by the Freedom of Information Act, 2011. Thus, this paper assesses the critical role of the press in gathering, analyzing and disseminating news and information about people, events, court sitting, judicial reporting, judgments and other issues thrown up by the Act and what they mean for judicial reporters in their important role of effectively and correctly reporting court proceedings and judgments. This desk-based paper finds that freedom of the press remains a human right with a lot of exemptions, limitations and restrictions imposed by law in specific circumstances. The paper concludes by stating that an effective implementation of the FOI Act is required as a sure-footed platform for the objective, factual, fair, accurate, unbiased and balanced reporting of judicial proceedings by judicial reporters