Journal of Research and Development (JRnD) Vol. 2, No. 10, 2016 www.arabianjbmr.com THE QUEST FOR PRESS FREEDOM IN NIGERIA: NOT A FORLORN STRUGGLE Goodluck Layefa William Adesoji Johnson Department Of Media And Communication Studies Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria E-mail:
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[email protected] Abstract The study explores the possibility of the realisation of press freedom in the Nigerian society. The authors are of the belief that the doggedness and dauntlessness of the Nigerian press in the face of harrowing and murderous measures taken by regimes, especially military to silent it, is reflective of the flaming quest for press freedom which if its embers keep burning will lead to the possible granting of free press. It is the position of the authors that, although, free press is yet to be realised, the resounding victories so far recorded in our political landscape as championed by the Nigerian press are pointers to the possibility of the realisation of free press in the Nigerian society. Among others, the authors see, especially, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), as a sound leeway to the realisation of free press in the Nigerian society. They however, submitted, as a form of recommendation that free press may not be a forlorn struggle if the Nigerian press walk in the pathway of responsible news gathering and dissemination; set public agenda for press freedom; sponsor, lobby the passage of free press bill; and connect with free press countries for possible support among others. Key words: Press Freedom, Nigerian press, Press Laws, Struggle Introduction From primordial epoch, man has instinctively displayed a desire to express himself in matters that concern his general welfare and the development of the society he finds himself.