The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), Citizens’ Gavel and other civil society organisations have called on President Bola Tinubu to take a decisive action to stop the incessant and unwarranted attacks and harassment of journalists across the country.
In a joint letter formally addressed to President Tinubu, the civic organisations regretted the disturbing rise in incidents involving the unlawful arrest, harassment, intimidation, violence, and detention of journalists who are simply carrying out their professional duties over unfounded claims in recent months by security agencies.
In a statement by the Deputy Director, Journalism Programme, CJID, Busola Ajibola, the organisations said that it was observed that the harassment and violence not only threatened the safety and lives of journalists and media professionals but also undermined the fundamental principles of freedom of expression and the press.
“The role of the media in a democracy cannot be overstated as Journalists and media professionals play a pivotal role in promoting good governance, transparency, and accountability” stated the letter.
In the letter, CJID Press Attack Tracker data between May 29, 2023, and June 30, 2024, was mentioned to illustrate the intensity of the attacks.
The letter also called on the President to: “Implement laws and other measures directed at strengthening press freedom protection, and ensuring that journalists and media professionals carry out their watchdog activities as guaranteed by the constitution, without any fear of attack and intimidation.
“Conduct thorough investigations into recent cases of journalists’ detention and into all reported cases of attacks on journalists, and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.
“Engage and pressure all the arms of government to commit to respect press freedom by upholding and protecting the rights of journalists as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution.
“Engage the security agencies, particularly the Nigerian Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and the State Security Service, also known as the DSS on their roles in protecting press freedom and the importance of properly implementing the laws that relate to press freedom and freedom of expression.
“Engage with media professionals and other relevant stakeholders to facilitate constructive dialogues on the issues of press freedom and journalists’ safety, and to work in partnership with them to create a safer and enabling environment for journalism to strive in Nigeria.
“Direct that complaints against journalists in connection with their work be first reported to and investigated by the Nigeria Media Complaints Commission (NMCC), otherwise known as the National Ombudsman. A prima facie case should be established before the journalist concerned is invited, arrested, or prosecuted.”
“We urge the President to take swift and concrete steps to protect journalists and media professionals and uphold their rights. The safety of journalists is integral to strengthening and advancing our democracy and the protection of human rights,”
CJID, Citizens’ Gavel, and partners said they remained committed to advocating for the rights of journalists to promote democratic accountability for inclusive and sustainable development.
They called on all stakeholders, including government officials, civil society organisations, to join the critical advocacy effort to safeguard press freedom in Nigeria.
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