The Mass Media, the Law and National Security: The Nigerian Perspective

The issue of national security is a fundamental issue in national and international discourses. It is in recognition of this fact that this paper explores the Nigerian perspective of how the operations of the mass media and the law may encroach into each other's domain as well as the implication of such encroachment to national security. The paper employs the analytical method to examine the set out issues against the backdrop of the feeling that one views the mass media and law as complementary sectors that could impinge on each other in the facilitation of the operations of other sectors of the polity. The operation of law affects and influences the way the mass media functions. In the same vein, the operations of the mass media equally affect and influence the operation of law in certain fundamental ways. Having examined the issue in focus, it argues that there is no notable conflict between the operation of the mass media and the law. It concludes by recommending that if recourses are made to the grundnorm of the country (that is the constitution), it would be discovered that the media would operate without any conflict or hindrance and any gatekeeper who violates the law can be punished.