Akwa Ibom Journalists’ Assessment of the Workability of the Freedom Information (FOI) Act in Nigeria


Keyword : Akwa Ibom .Journalists .Assessment .Freedom .Information


Author(s) : Daniel T. Ezegwu, Ifeanyi M. Nwokeocha & Agwu A. Ejem

Abstract :   

This paper investigates the workability of the two-year old Freedom of Information (FoI) Act in AkwaIbom State. It particularly sought practicing journalists’ opinions regarding the subsisting factors affecting the workability of the FOI Act in Nigeria. Nigerians have often cast doubt on the workability of the Act, arguing that there are no proper mechanisms, training and political will to achieve the objectives of the Act in Nigeria. There is yet a general understanding that it is one thing to enact such a law and another to ensure its operationbility. The study was anchored on the Social Responsibility and Democratic Participant theories. Studying the general perception of the workability of the Act in Akwa Ibom state, the Survey method was used. 158 journalists were sampled from three media outfits, comprising radio and television stations in Akwa Ibom state. We probed, among other things, Akwa Ibom journalists’ awareness of the Freedom of Information Act and their perception of its workability. Using simple percentage and frequency tables, the study among other things found that there is a widespread awareness of the Act among journalists in the state. However, the level of awareness of the Act has not been matched with a corresponding application of the Act or its relevance to the journalists in the discharge of their duties. It was recommended that, among other things, journalists and civil/public servants should be properly trained regarding the provisions of the Act, and lack of compliance to the Act should be severely punished.

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