Journal of Law, Policy and Globalization www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-3240 (Paper) ISSN 2224-3259 (Online) Vol.29, 2014 72 Spitting on a Blood Document: An Analysis of Nigerian Journalists Perception and Implementation of the Freedom of Information Act Ezinwa, A. Chidi Lecturer, Department of Mass Communication, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Enugu, Enugu State Nigeria ezichiditony@yahoo.co.uk Ngwu C. Christian Senior Lecturer, Department of Mass Communication, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Enugu, Enugu State Nigeria chelarsuniverse@yahoo.com, Onah, Charles Igwebueze Doctoral student, Department of Mass Communication,University of Nigeria, Nsukka Charles@gmail.com ABSTRACT This work is on Nigerian journalists’ perception of the implementation of 2011 Freedom of Information Act in the South East Nigeria. The researchers adopted survey research method in which questionnaire and oral interview were used as the means of data collection. A sample size of 237 was drawn from a total population of 580 using Taro Yamane formula. The data generated through the administration of questionnaire were presented and analyzed using tables and simple percentages. The qualitative data generated through the oral interview were also presented .At the end ,the researchers discussed the results gotten from the tables and oral interview in line with the research questions and it revealed that, the Nigerian journalists do not have a detailed understanding of the content of the F0I Act. It also revealed that the Nigerian journalists do not see F0I Act as an important legal document that has the capacity to strengthen investigative journalism in Nigeria. This study also revealed that the Nigerian journalists do not see the Act as capable of granting them protection in their day to day activities. Finally, the study as well revealed that access to information in Nigeria has not increased as a result of the F0I Act. Based on this, it was recommended among others things that sensitization workshops on F0I Act should be organized by the NUJ of different states from time to time to enable them (journalists) embrace the provisions of this Act for a proper implementation. This will go a long way for a better kick-off on the implementation of the Act. INTRODUCTION The journey for the enactment of a legal framework to guarantee the freedom of the press to source information from any quarter without fear or let down came to an end with the signing of the freedom of Information Bill (FOIB) into law by President Goodluck Jonathan on the 28 th of May, 2011. The Bill which has now become a law is to among other things make public records and information more freely available, provide for public access to public records and information, and protect public records and information to the extent consistent with public interest and the protection of personal privacy, public officers from adverse consequences for disclosing certain kinds of official information without authorization and establish procedures for the achievement of those purposes. This struggle for freedom of information and the press is as old as the history of the press itself. From the time of repressive and authoritarian regimes in 16 th and 17 th century England, to the Marxist-Leninist ideologies, to the era of libertarianism occasioned by the independence of the United States. The government saw the enormous power wielded by the press and either sought to chain it, manipulate it or free it to perform their roles to the society. Underscoring the importance of the press was Edmund Burke who coined the term, Fourth Estate: To Burke, a social architecture, the press occupies a monumental seat, no inferior to the first three Estates: the Lords Spiritual, the Lords Temporal and the Commons. In British tradition at that time, the two ‘Lorded’ groups constituted the upper chamber of parliament, while the commons were in the lower chamber. According to Burke, “there were three Estates in parliament: but in the reporter’s gallery yonder, there sat a fourth Estate more important than they all.” Okafor (2010, p.18 -24). During this time, wrote Okey Ndibe of Daily Sun as cited in Okon (2011, p.11 – 12 ), “the press rose to the challenge of providing more intense coverage of the deliberations of the House of Commons. The press was going to bridge the gulf between the people and their legislators, with the added collateral advantage of vitalizing