By Ezra Odogu
A coalition of 85 journalists, civil society organizations, and media practitioners has renewed its call to President Bola Tinubu to address the alarming increase in attacks on press freedom, as recorded by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, CJID.
In a statement signed by Sylvester Agih, Legal Consultant at Citizens’ Gavel, and Busola Ajibola, Deputy Director of CJID’s Journalism Program, the coalition noted that CJID’s press attack tracker documented 51 incidents of press violations from May 2023 to June 2024, with an additional 90 cases reported between July and October 2024.
The coalition urged the President to implement laws protecting press freedom, investigate recent cases of harassment, and ensure accountability for those involved.
It also called for collaboration with security agencies to protect journalists and recommended that complaints against journalists be directed to the Nigerian Media Complaints Commission, NMCC, before any punitive measures are taken.
The appeal, marking the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, emphasized the essential role of a free press in Nigeria’s democracy.
The statement read: “The CJID’s Press Attack Tracker has documented not less than 90 confirmed cases of press attacks between July 1, and October 22, 2024.
The ongoing wave of press freedom violations, largely attributed to state actors, signals an alarming trend that endangers the safety of journalists and threatens the democratic principles of free speech and accountability.
“The coalition has restated their specific demands, calling on the President to take immediate action to:
“Implement laws and other measures directed at strengthening press freedom protection and ensuring that journalists and media professionals carry out their watchdog duties as guaranteed by the constitution, without fear of attack and intimidation.
“Conduct thorough investigations into, recent cases of journalists’ detention and all reported cases of attacks on journalists, and ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable.
“Engage and pressure all the arms of government to commit to respecting 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.
“The President should direct those complaints against journalists in connection with their work be first reported to and investigated by the Nigerian 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.
“As we observe the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, we are reminded of the critical role of the press in Nigeria’s democracy. We urge the President to take definite steps to safeguard press freedom and protect journalists to report freely and without fear.
“CJID, Citizens Gavel, and partners hope that the President will take advantage of this day to affirm Nigeria’s commitment to press freedom and the safety of its journalists. The coalition remains committed to advocating for the rights of journalists to promote democratic accountability for inclusive and sustainable development.
“We call on all stakeholders, including government officials, and civil society organisations, to join us in this critical advocacy effort to safeguard press freedom in Nigeria.”
