The Newspaper Proprietors' Association of Nigeria, NPAN, has raised the alarm over plans to gag the press, through the resuscitation of the moribund Press Council.
This is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of its meeting in Abuja on Tuesday to deliberate on the state of press freedom in the country.
NPAN expressed disappointment at the efforts being made by the Federal Government to repress the media.
The communiqué, signed by NPAN President, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, warned the government to stop any attempt to abridge the freedom of the press, noting that the media had an important constitutional role to play in the evolving democratic system.
The communiqué reads in part: "The association notes, with concern, that there is a clandestine move to revive the moribund Press Council, which is usually an official tool to gag the press.
"During past military dictatorships, unsuccessful attempts were made to use the Council against press freedom.
"Since we have a democratically elected government in place over the last 14 years and counting, we do not expect our elected leaders to follow the tried and failed tactics of past dictatorships in Nigeria.
"Recent moves by some undemocratic elements in the Federal Government, indicate that there are still persons in the government who will rather not have a free and fair press but prefer to take steps to abridge the freedom of the press and the right of the people to have unfettered access to information".
