The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) says it is too early to fault the media on the non-use of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.
Mr Gbenga Onayiga, the NUJ National Vice President, Zone H, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday that the law was relatively new.
He said that it would take time for the media to take full advantage of it.
“We should appreciate the fact that things are changing, the times are hard and the media is facing a different challenge it never envisaged in terms of terrorism.
“All these contribute to the seeming insufficient execution of the provision of the FOI Act.
“That is not to say that we do not have two or three cases out there of organisations or institutions, even? unions, that have gone to court over the refusal of some agencies to release information based on the FOI Act.
“NUJ Abuja council, for instance, is in court over such a refusal and I am also aware of an NGO that is in court but I believe we can do much better. ’’
Onayiga said that generally the Nigerian media had not done badly in view of the challenges facing it.
He said the Nigerian media remained the most vibrant and fearless in Africa, not withstanding the challenges facing it.
NAN reports that the FOI Act was signed by President Goodluck Jonathan in June, 2011.
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