Kaduna — Northern Nigerian Coalition of Civil Society has faulted the clampdown on LEADERSHIP Newspapers Group by security agencies of the Federal Government, saying that democracy in Nigeria cannot thrive without press freedom as obtained in democratic societies.

Addressing newsmen in Kaduna against the backdrop of

LEADERSHIP's ordeal in the hands of security agents, its leader, Comrade Shehu Sani, said: "The government of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua has recently been on war against publications of critical issues of national concern by openly harassing the media and, in most cases, asking security agents to clamp down on any media house that is critical of government. This action negates the position of the regime on its stance on the rule of law. One of the strongest elements of a free and democratic society is a free press. A government that lays claims to democratic norms must be able to observe, protect and encourage free press."

According to Comrade Sani, it is a free press that energises, mobilises and also gives moral authority to democracy, while freedom of expression is indispensible in a democracy. He said any government that claims its authority on legality and the norms of democracy must be able to observe these virtues and respect them.