Renowned Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication, Prof. Bayo Oloyede, has called on the government and the society to defend the rights of freedom of expression and the liberty of the press.
While delivering a lecture titled, “Journalism: A Fertiliser And Combustible for Human Rights Activism at the 15th Inaugural Lecture of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, he emphasised the importance of press freedom and freedom of expression in a democratic society.
Oloyede, who stressed that individuals and governments must understand and accommodate dissent and criticism, noted that intolerance is a major yardstick for the repression of free expression and free press.
He argued that “society often gives flimsy reasons for the repression of free expression and free press, such as the probable disruption of social order or the bringing down of institutions and governments.”
The Professor of Media Law and Journalism highlighted the significance of the press in a democratic society, noting that it served as a bearer of danger signals, a crusader for social justice, a mass mobilizer, the pillar of public opinion, and an indispensable instrument of governance.
Oloyede proposed that would-be journalists receive a liberal education, diverse journalistic skills, and knowledge of other fields to make them ‘specialist generalists’.
He stressed the importance of solid journalism training, stating that “journalists must be equipped with a good nose for news, sound judgment, investigative ability, research ability, leadership, critical thinking, analytical mind, sense of marketing, and time management abilities.”
The professor also paid tribute to individuals and journalists whose rights to free expression and free press have been repressed or violated.
He acknowledged the sacrifices of those who have been harassed, molested, or paid the ultimate price in the exercise of their duties.
He mentioned the likes of Dele Giwa and Bagauda Kaltho, who lost their lives in the course of their journalistic duties.
Oloyede stated that the freedom of expression is fundamental to all other human rights and protects and safeguards all freedoms.
“There is a need to encourage the defence of press freedom and the liberty of expression, as a country’s press can only be as powerful as what the political leadership and citizenry make of it,” he said.