Mass Media, Freedom of Expression and Democracy: The Nigerian Experience from 1999-2017

Abstract

This study interrogates media-state relationship under the current democratic dispensation. Libertarian Press Theory serves as the theoretical framework of the study, which argues that freedom of expression is sine qua non for democracy to thrive. The ensuing argument and supplied evidences serve to demonstrate that although there exists moments of clashes between the media and state forces, the current democratic experiment holds freedom of expression in high esteem. This is what the vibrant press has been yearning for, since the commencement of the Nigerian project. However, the study argues that the abuse of social media opportunities, coupled with the current rise in hate speech is pushing the state to the wall to device measures that would tame these abuses and hate speeches that are overheating the polity already. The study, therefore, recommends that this cause should be pursued with utmost caution in other not to limit freedom of expression as a result. Above all, the study recommends that journalists across the country should take advantage of the freedom granted them by the current democratic dispensation to expand the frontiers of democracy. This way, they will uphold their revered status in society as members of the Forth Estate of the Realm.