The Nigerian Press Council (NPC) is the buffer between the media and public and provides a variety of services to the media, government and the public by ensuring the maintenance of the highest ethical and professional standards in the media through its complaints adjudicatory role, research, media monitoring, defence of press freedom, protection of the rights and privileges of journalists, visitation and accreditation of journalism training institutions, maintenance of the register of journalists in the country, organising of workshops and seminars for capacity building in the media.
The NPC renders the cheapest and fastest complaints resolution mechanism between the media and the public.
The Complaints Division previews and processes all complaints received from the public against the media or complaints from the media against individuals or corporate bodies. Acknowledges receipt of all complaints within 48 hours and notifies the media or corporate body concerned if there is a prima facie breach of media ethics or media rights. Prepares briefs for the adjudication of complaints by the NPC Complaints Committee.
Notifies the parties to the complaint of NPC decision
Complaints
Who can complain
Any member of the public is entitled to lodge a complaint against a newspaper, provided the complaint is one of unethical conduct. You can complain if:
(a) Anything unethical is published in respect of you in any medium of information in Nigeria. The media is defined under “Press”, and include radio, television, wire services, newspapers, magazines and such other channel of communication involved in the collection and dissemination of information.
(b) Anything considered objectionable is done in respect of you by any journalist in his capacity as a journalist. A journalist is one who is engaged in the collection, processing and dissemination of information for use in the Press and has been accredited by the Nigeria Union of Journalists.
(c) Anything is done against the journalist that is capable of limiting the preservation of the freedom of the press guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
(d) What is done and complained about is not in accordance with the Code of Ethics for Nigerian Journalists approved by the Nigerian Press Organisation.
When you can complain
You can complain only when you are satisfied that you have invited the attention of the medium concerned to what you deem objectionable and you are not satisfied with the way the matter was handled by the medium. The medium may have failed to react to your complaint or informed you that they were not liable. If the grouse has to do with a broadcast, it is advised that the complaint be directed to the station’s director of news and /or programmes. You should be in no doubt about the publication you are complaining about, when the publication was made, what harm it did and what you want done.
How you can complain
A written letter of the complaint has to be addressed to the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Press Council with proof that the medium or body concerned had been approached for redress without success.
A person can also write for information on the NPC Complaints Resolution Procedure. All your complaints to the Council will be in WRITING and should be directed to The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Press Council, Plot 821, Lake Chad Crescent, Maitama, Abuja. Tel: 09-4137081, 4137915 Fax: E-mail:nigpresscouncil@yahoo.com
The importance of the complaints being in writing is that the Committee WILL NOT entertain verbal complaints. You have to state clearly what your grouse is; the steps you had taken to effect redress; and your CHIOCE that the Press Council should look into the matter. There is no legal representation.
What the Council will do
The Complaints Committee will review the complaint and make recommendations to the Council for ratification. The decision of the Council will be conveyed to the parties involved and published in the Council’s journal, The Press and in the media.
What to do when the Council fails to respond timely to inquiries.
Any person who is aggrieved over the handling of his/her request for information or inquiry should write to the Chairman of the Nigerian Press Council for redress
Research into Contemporary Media Development
Research and Documentation is the main operational Department of the in Council and the responsibility to research into contemporary press developments in the country as well as press documentation.
The Department has a good Research Library and Media Resource Centre in the Liaison Office, Lagos, which is stocked with books on social sciences, mass communication, journalism and contemporary press developments in the country.
Quantitative, qualitative or desk research (or a combination of various research methodologies) is conducted.
The staff of the Research Department are involved in the different phases of the research process (eg Drafting the research proposal or compiling the questionnaire/discussion guide) and the management of research projects. The focus of these research projects is on media development. The main aim is to assess and track the environment within which the media operate in the country.
Research/documentation materials
Request for the Council publications, outcome of research/documentation shall be in writing and addressed to the Executive Secretary.
The Council shall respond to such requests in 48 hours and where it requires further research, within a reasonable timeframe.
The NPC also renders research advice. To request research advice/assistance, the Council could be contacted through Tel: 09-4137081 E-mail:nigpresscouncil@yahoo.com
Documentation of Media Development
The Council documents contemporary press developments and maintains an up-to-date inventory of publications and journalism training institutions in the country.
It publishes books, journals and reports of proceedings of the Council’s workshops and seminars.
Library Services: The Council has research libraries in its Abuja annex and Lagos offices, which are open to the public, journalists, and researchers from 8.00 am – 4.00 pm on working days.
Books on journalism, mass communication and media studies are stocked.
Enquiries on Council’s documentation activities and publications should be directed to Head of Documentation/Publications. Tel: 09 4137081, 5239532 E-mail: nigpresscouncil@yahoo.com
Monitoring of Media
The Council monitors the coverage of political, economic and social developments to establish trends, slants and unprofessional handling of news. It also makes clipping of new reports.
The content analysis of newspapers and magazines by the Council helps in identifying unethical performance of the press and thereafter put in place programmes to assist journalists to comply with the Code of Ethics.
The Monitoring Unit provides reports on media coverage of issues of national importance to the public on request.
Request for the services should be directed to Head of Monitoring Unit Tel: 09 4137081 E-mail:nigpresscouncil@yahoo.com
Defence of Press Freedom/Protection of Rights and Privileges of Journalists
The Council reviews media laws, policies and programmes or developments perceived as inimical to the press in its performance and advices on remedies.
It does this through the writing of position papers, which are sent to the relevant government authorities. When necessary, it also initiates dialogue with government officials as well as organise parleys between the government and the media aimed at improving government-media relations.
The Council carries out these activities through its Rights and Privileges Committee.
Visitation and Accreditation of Journalism Training Institutions
Journalism training is an important aspect of the Council’s function:
The Visitation and Accreditation Unit issues guidelines on accreditation of journalism training institutions in the country.
Arranges for visitation to journalism training institutions to ascertain the quality of instruction, curriculum and facilities leading to accreditation.
Liaises with other accreditation agencies such as the National Board for Technical Education and National Universities Commission.
Any Journalism Training Institution that wants the Council to carry out a visitation or accreditation of its journalism programme shall do so in writing to the Executive Secretary. The Council is responsible for the accreditation of the professional content of journalism training while the National Universities Commission and the National Board for Technical Education are concerned with the academic content of mass communication departments in universities and polytechnics respectively.
The Council shall acknowledge receipt of that Institute’s letter within 24 hours and furnish it with the Council’s guidelines on accreditation and the date scheduled for visitation.
The Council shall inform the Institute of the outcome of its visitation within a month of such a visit. The Accreditation Committee carries out this function for the Council.
Capacity Building – Organisation of Workshops/Seminars
The Council organises training workshops and seminars, aimed at promoting high ethical and professional standards; fostering the development of enabling conditions for the press to operate and carry out its responsibilities to society. It also carries out its capacity building function for journalists through the organisation of workshops and seminars for media professionals.
The Council works in conjunction with stakeholders - such as the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Newspaper Proprietors Association and non-governmental media organisations.
The Council has organised the following workshops and seminars:
Workshop on Nigerian Mass Media During National Crises, Gateway Hotel, Ota, March 24 – 27, 1994;
Editors Forum – National Workshop on News Judgment and Management, Gateway Hotel, Ota, June 21 – 24, 1995;
Workshop on Review of NUJ Code of Conduct, Gateway Hotel, Ota, March 4 – 6, 1996;
International Conference of World Association of Press Councils and Similar Bodies, Nicon Hilton Hotel, Abuja, October 7 – 10, 1996;
Workshop on Implementation of the New Code of Ethics for Journalism Practice in Nigeria, Kwara Hotel, Ilorin, March 19 – 21, 1998;
Workshop on Media and Democracy, Abuja Sheraton Hotel and Towers, May 21-23, 2000;
An Induction Course and Training Programme for its Research Officers at the Grand Mirage Hotel, Garki Area 11, Abuja, April 2001.
Workshop on Media Laws, Abuja Sheraton Hotel and Towers, June 2002, organised in collaboration with the Senate Committee on Information. The workshop was intended to review all media laws and identify those for amendment or repeal.
POSITION PAPERS
In pursuance of functions in section 3 (d) and (e) of the Nigerian Press Council enabling law, the Council has written and submitted position papers to the appropriate authorities at various times:
(i) Statement on Recent Developments in the Practice of Journalism and Allied Matters.
(ii) Position Paper of the Nigerian Press Council on the Newspaper Decree 43 of 1993.
(iii) Position Paper of the Nigerian Press Council on the Proscription of Newspapers and Related Issues.
(iv) Position Paper of the Nigerian Press Council on the Provision for the Formation of National Mass Media Commission in the Draft Constitution.
(v) Position Paper of the Nigerian Press Council on the Bills to Repeal Certain Media Laws.
