PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan’s office on Wednesday rose to refute media reports that the president ordered the arrest of four journalists of the Leadership Newspaper.
A statement issued in Abuja by Dr Reuben Abati, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said police authorities that arrested the journalists were simply carrying out their statuary responsibilities of investigating the publication of what he termed “fictitious presidential directive” said to have come from the president’s office.
“The circulation of a fictitious ‘presidential directive’ that seeks, in the main, to cause civil strife, engender a breakdown of law and order, and negate the values of our democracy is a very grievous act indeed that should not be ignored,” Abati said.
“At its core, such a disruptive act erodes the ethos of governance and professionalism and naturally stirs up those entrusted with the protection of law and order as it should also, every responsible citizen, interest group and the entire media.
“In that regard, President Jonathan did not have to issue any orders before those who have as much constitutional responsibility as the media; that is, the police, see the need to act in the public interest, .
Mr. Abati said he was not holding brief for the law enforcement and security agencies, but that such a publication, like all others that threaten “our democracy and undermine law and order, become the duty of the Police as an institution to investigate’’.
The president’s spokesman said that Leadership Newspaper should co-operate with the police as required by the laws rather than seek public sentiment over the arrest.
“The Police have not done anything outside the law. The trite rule is that nobody is above the laws of the land.
“It is also within the powers of the police to invite persons for questioning and to conduct investigations, which is what they have done so far in “The Leadership case”.
“Or are the editors of the Leadership newspaper insisting that they are above the laws of the land?
Abati reiterated the Jonathan administration’s belief in press freedom, saying that it had demonstrated its commitment to freedom of the press times over.
“The Freedom of Information Bill (FOI) was signed by this President into law and under this government the Nigerian print and electronic media has grown in number, reach and in terms of freedom to practice.
“It will be disingenuous to suggest that there is a clampdown of any sort or an attempt to stifle the press,’’ he said.
Mr. Abati acknowledged the role of the media in fighting for democracy in Nigeria, saying that the government would continue to welcome the media’s unfettered contributions, investigations and accountability audit of those holding public offices.
“What must not be encouraged is `voodoo journalism’ or the deliberate and malicious attempt to use a medium that is designed to inform to take on the inglorious task of being a mouthpiece for a narrow agenda based on disinformation.’’