SIR:The three basic functions perform by the media are that of information, education and entertainment. These are the conventional social functions the media render to the public anywhere in the world.
In performing these functions, the media in Nigeria has contributed in no small measure to national development and the entrenchment, growth and sustenance of democracy, where the fundamental human rights of every citizen are guaranteed.
It is for the very crucial role of the media in the society in teaching, sensitizing and mobilizing the people via information dissemination, that the freedom of the press is guaranteed in the constitution, besides the freedom of speech enshrined as part of the basic fundamental human rights of citizens.
This is where the reported clampdown by the Nigerian military on the media, during which some newspapers were reportedly confiscated and distribution vans of media outfits impounded acting on a supposed intelligence report is condemnable.
I do not think it is proper for the army to launch this kind of onslaught on the media, no matter where the directive may have come from. Rather than this needless intimidation of the media, what the Nigerian Army as a key security agency ought to do is to continue to ensure a very smooth relationship with the press. As a matter of fact, they are supposed to see themselves as partners in progress with media organizations in the fight against terrorism which is seriously hitting us in the face at the moment. The deadly activities of the Boko Haram sect have reportedly claimed about 12, 000 lives since 2009 and the terrorist group is currently holding captive about 300 innocent schoolgirls for almost two months now. The rescue of these girls is what we should concentrate on now and not the terrorization of newspaper firms.
• Michael Jegede,
Abuja