Investigative reporting like every other journalism has legal and ethical principles associated with it. These legal and ethical principles do act as guide for those who ply their trade in this field of reporting. They are tailored towards ensuring that investigative reporting is not done without restraint and in other to prevent abuse of press freedom. An investigative reporter should always acquaint himself with these legal and ethical obligations to know how to avoid stepping on a land mine in the minefield of investigative reporting.

There are some basic principles of law that affect the practice of investigative reporting and indeed every other of journalism in Nigeria. These basic principles are basically a reflection of the laws of the Nation except in some selected few cases like the Military era, were we were been governed by decrees made in a dictatorial manner. Legal Issues In Investigative Reporting

An investigative reporter must at all cost realise that there are certain legal issues he or she must note while carrying out his reportorial task. These issues or principles as the case may be might come up while gathering information and facts in the course of investigation. The reporter should also be aware of press freedom legally guaranteed to him in order for him to do his work within the constraint of the law. He should never forget to respect the principle of law while discharging his reportorial duties of gathering facts and writing final report that will be published or aired through his medium.

Legal Issues In Investigative Reporting

Facts On Legal Guarantee Of Press Freedom.

The practice of journalism profession in Nigeria is not without a legal backing. Infact it is the extension of that actual backing that actually guarantees press freedom. Though the constitution did not mention or spoke on press freedom.
As it were, there is no direct legal protection for for the press. Well to the contrary, what have been done in Nigeria is the promulgation of certain decrees by various military regime forcefully checkmating the freedom of the press.
The pertinence of having a press freedom in any society cannot be overemphasized. According to Wofensolm
" A free press is not a luxury. A free press is at the absolutely core of equitable development because if You cannot enfranchise poor people, if they do not have a right to expression, if there are lots of corruption and no equity in justice, then there will be trouble. By this you cannot build the public consensus needed to bring about change.
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