THE LAW OF LIBEL AND PRESS FREEDOM IN NIGERIA
THE LAW OF LIBEL AND PRESS FREEDOM IN NIGERIA
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Date
1995-04
Authors
BARAU, SAMAILA ABDULLAHI
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Abstract
Generally in all societies, great importance is
s t i l l attached to individual 's reputation and his self
esteem. For example the protection of human dignity,
the concern which under l i e s libel law is given special
constitutional status in Germany under their basic law
and recently a person's reputation was regarded as one
of his fundamental l i b e r t i e s protected by the due
process clause of the United States Constitution.
Thus any one who is concern about the manifold
threats to peoples reputation by a section of the
Nigerian press, is bound to ask what safe guards against
them are provided by the law.
It is in view of these, that the topic of this
t h e s i s namely The Law of Libel and Press Freedom in
Nigeria has been choosen.
The research gave with the backing of legal
a u t h o r i t i e s , situations which lacks legal remedies, as
a result meets this question in two ways viz :-
(a) The research gave an account of the laws which
protects and guarantees freedom of the press on one
hand and peoples reputation in various context on the
other hand, and cites some recent judicial decisions.
(b) Secondly, the research made a number of
suggestions for new legislation.
CHAPTER ONE of the thesis consists of introduction,
the historical evolution of the early and modern press
in Nigeria; and the meaning of the term press freedom.
CHAPTER TWO examines the constitutional basis of
press freedom and proceed to discuss some legal
restraints or limitations to press freedom.
CHAPTER THREE focuses on the law of defamatory
libel and the press in Nigeria, and also examined the
extent to which English defamation laws can be applied
side by side with the Customary law of defamation in
Nigeria.
CHAPTER FOUR considers the traditional defences
available to a defendant of libel suits and the possible
remedies available to the successful plaintiff in such
action.
CHAPTER FIVE being the last chapter consists mainly
of conclusion and suggestions for new legislation
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW ,FACULTY OF LAW AHAMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY ZARIA.
Keywords
LAW,, LIBEL,, PRESS FREEDOM,, NIGERIA