information. Already our constitution guarantees appreciable level of freedom of the press, which is due to the assertiveness and vibrancy of the Nigeria press, but freedom of information is critical to the function of the press. The freedom of information bill, which was first presented to the National Assembly on August 25, 1999 for passage and signing into law, is yet to see the light of the day. It is necessary for the media stakeholders led by the NUJ, RATTAWU, and media drivers and civil society groups to lobby the national assembly for the passage of this critical bill. Because good governance, which the press promotes can only be meaningful if there is transparency in governance and access to information which cannot be fully achieved without freedom of information Also around the world journalists continue to suffer crude violence while discharging their responsibilities even under a democratic setting. In many democratic countries many have been killed, assaulted or kidnapped, while attacks on media establishments still persist. This is unacceptable. The perpetrators of such violence are obviously out to silence or intimidate the press and impede the functions of the media. I urge security agencies, the media and other stake holders to rise up and resist this challenge because if the press is cowed or silenced, then the society will be exposed to greater danger. Journalists should document and expose violence meted out to their colleagues in whatever form. Already organizations like Reporters without Borders and different organizations associated with press freedom across the world are doing something in that direction. I enjoin them not to relent in ensuring that journalist enjoy freedom and safety while carrying out their work. Some Nigerians media historians argue that ownership structure of some media houses poses a challenge to effective journalism in the country. At times there tends to be conflict of interest by proprietors of such establishments and it is more pronounced if the owners are politicians or sympathetic to the ideals of a political party. This is not entirely alien to Nigeria because most of the earliest newspapers were established by people with partisan interests. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Sir Ahmadu Bello all set up newspapers to promote national agenda alongside their political ideals. And even now people still establish newspapers to promote political, regional or group interests.