SECTOR 1 Freedom of expression, including freedom of the media, is effectively protected and promoted. 1.1 Freedom of expression, including freedom of the media, is guaranteed in the constitution and supported by other pieces of legislation. Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria recognises the role of the press, radio, television and other agencies of mass media to uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people. Section 39 (1) gives citizens the right to “freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference”. The Constitution further states in Section 39 (2) that “every person shall be entitled to own, establish and operate any medium for the dissemination of information, ideas and opinions”. However, these freedoms are curtailed by other instruments in the same Constitution. Section 39 states that only the governments of the Federation or State; or their representatives and agencies can own, establish and operate or authorise a television or wireless broadcasting station “for any purpose whatsoever”. The Broadcasting code gives the government, through the Minister of Information, the power to issue and withdraw broadcasting licences. The government used this power to check freedom of expression when it closed Channels Television in 2010. “Through the Official Secrets Acts, the government is able to prevent the public from having access to certain information,” said one panellist. The 1966 Defamatory and Offensive Publication Act places the responsibility of proving innocence on the defence. Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country meets only a few aspects of indicator 3 Country meets some aspects of indicator 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator. 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator Average score: 8 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER NIGERIA 2011 3.5 (2008 = 2.3)