BY AKUDORO GLORIA
Every 2nd November is a global commemoration of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists; established through the adoption of United Nations General Assembly resolution 68/163 in 2013, it draws attention to the widespread problem of impunity or lack of judicial resolution for crime committed against journalists.
In light of this, the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), Citizens Gavel, and a coalition of 85 journalists, media practitioners, civil society organisations, and concerned citizens have issued a second urgent appeal to the Office of the President, to address escalating attacks on journalists in Nigeria.
The appeal follows the first letter dated July 29, 2024, which “urged the President to take immediate action to address the incessant and unwarranted arrest, unlawful detention and several other forms of harassment and intimidation meted out on journalists and the press in Nigeria”.
The letter further included recommendations that could help ensure the safety of journalists and the protection of press freedom in Nigeria.
In a statement signed by Busola Ajibola, the Deputy Director, Journalism Program, CJID, the coalition called for immediate action to end the persistent attacks and harassment of journalists and the media across the country.
In the initial letter “we highlighted that between May 29, 2023, and June 30, 2024, the CJID’s Press Attack Tracker documented 51 verified incidents of press freedom violations across Nigeria. Disturbingly, 37 of these incidents occurred between January 1 and June 30, 2024, indicating a distressing escalation”.
Since the first letter was sent, 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.
In the follow-up appeal to the President, 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.
They also urged to 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.
Other demands highlighted include – 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 that 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,” the coalition stated.
