STATES- PRESS RELATIONS IN NIGERIA

A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF STATES- PRESS RELATIONS IN NIGERIA, 1999-2005 The number of state that have directed attacks against that press has reduced when compared with the period of military autocracy that preceded the transition to civil democracy. There is an improvement in state press relations because it is the attacks on the press and the state. Although the cordial relationship between the press and the state has relatively improved since 1999, journalist in Nigeria are still intimidated, harassed, brutalized and subjected to arbitrary arrest and detention. Media houses and media product are still subjected to arbitrary closure and seizure by the state. The state’s interference with the press was not because it go against national security as the government explains, the Nigeria state is corrupt being so corrupt, the state feels it must remain vigilant and strike against any entity or institution that attempts to criticize its corrupt ways and the corrupt practices of its officials. The state interferes with the press to cripple it from being able to unearth the mammoth corruption in it polity, hold the government accountable to the governed and also defend the citizen from the exploitations and other vagaries of the ruling bourgeoisies.