What were the developments in the media environment in the last two / three years? Positive Developments • • • • • • • 56 The passing of the Freedom of Information Act in 2011 is arguably the most important positive development in Nigeria’s media environment. It guarantees the citizen’s right to public information, obliging public officials to keep public records and to provide requested information within seven days (renewable for another seven days). The Act also criminalises the destruction of public records. Nigerian newspaper owners appointed an ombudsman in 2009 to control and regulate the practice of journalism. The Ombudsman also takes complaints from the public. The Nigerian Union of Journalists launched an insurance scheme for journalists in 2009. For a policy, costing N6750 (US$ 42) per year for NUJregistered journalists, the insurance covers Temporary Total Disability at N750 000 (US$ 4 735), Permanent Disability at N1.5 million (US$ 9,470) and death at N3 million (US$ 18 940). Some state governors are reported to have paid such insurances for all journalists working within their states. The voice of the media has grown stronger, and public authorities’ respect for the media has increased. The state broadcasters NTA and Radio Nigeria played a more “positive” role in election reporting. Appropriation of technology by most journalists is aiding the development of the profession. In spite of hardships, more journalists work with gadgets like recorders, laptops and ipads. The government took steps to diversify media outlets. After an official goahead, the delivery of the first private radio and television network and community radio licences are in process. Licences were issued to open oncampus broadcasting stations with around 18 operating in 2009, up from 8 in 2008. The relationship between the government and the media has improved considerably. Clampdown on the media witnessed a significant drop, and public authorities made efforts to follow due process in dealing with press “offenses”. For the first time, the president took journalists to court in 2009 and 2010, instead of resorting to arbitrary closure. The court struck out the case, since the president, who enjoyed immunity, could not be cross-examined. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER NIGERIA 2011