KNOWING AND MAKING THE MOST OF THE FOI ACT AS A JOURNALIST

By Adetunji Morenike, Abdulrasheed Baliqis and Vidal Emmanuel

It is less than 24 hours to commemorate this year’s international world press freedom day and there’s no better time to talk about laws and Acts of parliament that has contributed to the ease of practicing journalism in Nigeria. The most recent of such law is the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) enacted and signed into law in 2012 by President Jonathan’s administration.

Knowledge, as it is popularly said is power, and information can make or mar any individual or even a nation. This is why it is important for journalists and aspiring journalists to be in comprehension of the FOI Act.

In a country whereby information seems impossible to retrieve from the 'powers-that-be', the freedom of information law gives the journalist and every single member of the public the right to request for information from federal bodies.

Basically, the FOI is a federal law that gives the public the right to make requests for federal agency records, enforceable by the court. This is super important as it makes you know your right as a journalist and how it works.

The Freedom of Information Act states that all federal agencies are required to make requested records available unless the records are protected from disclosure by one of nine FOIA exemptions.

As the right of access to information is important, the FOI Act makes it possible for journalists to source for the necessary information without the thought of being rejected or withheld of any vital information.

Access to information enables journalists exercise their role as public watchdogs in our democracies.

Journalists play a vital role in getting the right information but are constantly faced with challenges in accessing information from public bodies, especially when such information relates to sensitive issues like looting of funds, crime, and other forms of corruption.

It is important to note that the FOI Act can be enforced by courts and the agencies are advised not to withhold information from journalists just because it technically falls within an exemption and encouraged agencies to give out the necessary information where and when it is most needed.