9 Functions of the Nigerian Press Council

In this post, we look at the functions of the Nigerian Press Council. The Nigerian Press Council is a regulatory body that stands between the public and the media.

It was founded with the sole aim of ensuring that, there is adherence to the ethical standard that defines journalism profession, it enforces compliance with the highest ethical practices in the media profession.

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9 Functions of the Nigerian Press Council
Functions of the Nigerian Press Council – Photo Source: http://thepolitico.com.ng

Functions Of The Nigerian Press Council:

Founders of the Nigerian Press Council, founded the council with some objectives in their minds, among several other functions of the Nigerian Press Council, was to make sure that, media practitioners conform to the highest ethical standard of the media profession. However, in this article, I will be explaining a number of functions of the Nigerian Press Council.

1. The Nigerian Press Council Enquires Into Complaints About Press

The above statement underscored one of the core functions of the Nigerian Press Council. What the council does in this regard is to make an inquiry into complaints about what the press does, as well as the action and conduct of persons and other organizations against the press.

So it is incumbent on the part of the Nigerian Press Council to make sure that, and issue or repute between the public and the media.

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2. The Nigerian Press Council Monitor Press Activities:

Another function of the Nigerian Press Council is that of monitoring the activities, carried out by the press. The purpose of monitoring the activities of the press is to make sure that, there is compliance by the practitioners and the Nigeria Union of Journalists with the professional code and ethical conduct. It is the duty of the Nigerian Press Council to also enforce compliance.

3. The Nigerian Press Council Receives Application Form And Monitor Print Media

The Nigerian Press Council does receive an application form, perhaps, from media houses, that intend to register with the Nigerian Press Council. It is also the duty of the Nigerian Press Council to document the print media, as well as, monitoring the performance of the print media with a view to enforce compliance to the terms of these media houses and publishers’ mission statements, as well as, their goals and objectives in union with the proprietors of newspapers or the association called, the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria. This has been seen as one of the core functions of the Nigerian Press Council.

4. The Nigerian Press Council Researches Into Contemporary Press Development

The world is advancing in terms of knowledge and technology, a new way of doing things nowadays is unfolding day after day hence, research has become the only instrument of unraveling the best way of doing things these days, and the Nigerian Press Council is not ignorant of this fact thus, one of its functions has been to go into research about the contemporary development in the media. The Nigerian Press Council is also saddling with the responsibility of updating press documentation.

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5. The Nigerian Press Council Reviews Development That Restrict Information Flow

Another function of the Nigerian Press Council is the reviewing of any development capable of restricting information flow.

This is very important, therefore, and it is also incumbent on the part of the Nigerian Press Council to advise on some important ways or methods, such that it will help rectify or remedy the situation.

The Nigerian Press Council will have no option other than to stop anything that is capable of restricting the flow of information.

6. The Nigerian Press Council Ensures That Journalists’ Rights And Privileges Are Protected

This is another function of the Nigerian Press Council, and this is very important since the rights and the privileges of the journalists need to be protected for them to deliver on their jobs.

Going by this understanding, the Nigerian Press Council has taken it upon itself as its statutory responsibility to ensure that, the rights of the practicing journalists and their privileges are protected.

Reasons very obvious, so that, they can work effectively, and report objectively, while on their lawful duties. Achieving this can make a difference in the performances of the media practitioners.

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7. The Nigerian Press Council Fosters Achievement Of High Professional Standards

The Nigerian Press Council is in the position to ensure that, there are high professional standards in the practice of journalism, therefore, it is incumbent on the part of the Nigerian Press Council to endeavor to foster such achievement, as well as ensuring too, that, such achievement is maintained.

This achievement is quite necessary if the Nigerian Press Council must succeed in its mandate of effecting compliance with the highest professional standards by practicing journalists.

8. The Nigerian Press Council Monitors Media’s Activities

This is another important function of the Nigerian Press Council, statutorily, the council is to monitor what the media is doing, every of the activity of the media, that is what is expected of the Nigerian Press Council.

Importantly, this function of the council is carried out through some form of content analysis, all for the purpose of ensuring that, the ethical conduct, as well as, professional code of the profession is highly complied to.

The media practitioners must see to it that, every of their reportage is objectively reported and must reflect public decorum.

9. The Nigerian Press Council Reviews Media Laws, Policies And Programmes

The last and not the lest, another function of the Nigerian Press Council, is to make sure that, the media laws are reviewed, not only the media laws but also media policies and media programmes.

More so, it is incumbent on the part the Nigerian Press Council to go into any development that it may think or perceive to be, say, hostile to the media, while in its lawful duty, and it is expected of the Nigerian Press Council to advise in such a situation on any possible solution or remedy.

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Conclusion

The major responsibility of the Nigerian Press Council, like I said earlier, is to make sure that the privileges of the Nigerian journalists and the rights of the Nigerian journalists are protected since this responsibility is an integral part of the functions of the Nigerian Press Council.

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