Skip to main content

Stakeholders Demand End To Brutality Against Nigerian Journalists

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja


  L- R: President of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mr Chris Isiguzo; President of Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU), Mr Kabir Garba; Journalist with African Gong.com, Mrs Blessing David; Legal Practitioner, Mr Abdul Mahmud; TVC reporter, Ivy Kanu and Executive Director of IPC, Mr  Lanre Arogundade at the public presentation of documentaries on attacks on journalists and roundtable on protection of journalists as frontline workers in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO BY CHIKA OKEKE. 


Stakeholders in the media industry and Civil Society Organisations (CSO's) have demanded an end to brutality against Nigerian journalists while calling on the three tiers of government to respect the rights' and dignity of the media professionals.   

These formed the crux of discuss in Abuja yesterday at the public presentation of documentaries on attacks on journalists and roundtable on protection of journalists as frontline workers in commemoration of the 2022 World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) with the theme, 'Journalism Under Digital Siege'. 

It was organised by International Press Centre (IPC) Lagos, with the support of International Freedom of Exchange (IFEX), the Shehu Musa Yar’adua Foundation, Ford Foundation, Luminate and OSIWA.

The documentaries titled, "‘Voices From COVID-19 Frontlines' and ‘Voices From #EndSars Frontlines’ captured the molestation of journalists and arson attacks on media outlets during #EndSars protest and COVID-19 lockdown. 

In his address, the Executive Director of IPC, Mr  Lanre Arogundade stated that some of the worst violations encountered by journalists and other media practitioners take place in Nigeria, which is why the country was rated 120 in the global Press Freedom Index in 2021.

He said that journalists and other media professionals perform multiple roles such such as disseminating reliable information, providing voices for parties during conflicts, resolving issues arising from conflicts and holding duty bearers accountable in their coverage and reportage of crisis and emergency situations. 

Arogundade stated that despite the weighty responsibilities of journalists and other media professionals as frontline workers, that they are consistently victimised and molested irrespective of their roles as watchdog. 

The executive director revealed that while interacting with journalists assaulted during the COVID-19 lockdown and #EndSars protest that IPC discovered that depending on statistics alone wouldn't highlight their ordeal. 

To this end, he said that the institute concluded on documenting such experiences in order to sensitise stakeholders on the need to halt brutality against journalists. 

Also speaking, the Director of MacArthur Foundation, Dr. Kole Shettima stated that democracy cannot thrive without the media and journalists, which is why the foundation supports investigative journalism. 

He sought the need to support, revive and promote local languages, adding that an independent media requires an independent financial resources in order to create an independent editorial. 

Recalling the challenges of the defunct '234Next' newspaper, he added, "The organisation came up with independent reports and journalism that most people don't want to hear and because of their stance on issues, advertisers, who benefitted from government contracts boycotted the paper. "

Shettima advocated for adequate infrastructure to bolster media work, saying that MacArthur Foundation currently supports 10 to 13 media organisations in Nigeria. 

On his part, the President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Chris Isiguzo lamented the absence of law in the Nigerian constitution that protects journalists. 

This, he said was the reason that state actors go overboard in harassing and intimidating journalists, saying that paramilitary and other security agencies should begin to see journalists as partners in progress. 

The Vice President of Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr Aliyu Aliyu said that its important for journalists to understand their limitations and know how to protect themselves while discharging their responsibilities. 

Lending his voice, a legal practitioner, Mr Abdul Mahmud stated that legal practitioners had lobbied the National Assembly to provide a framework for the protection of journalists, but are yet to receive tangible result. 

He however pleaded with the 9th NASS to enact a law to protect journalists. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

EHCON Moves To Rebrand Environmental Health Sector Using Artificial Intelligence

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja   Dr Yakubu Baba The Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) has taken cogent steps to rebrand the environmental health sector using artificial intelligence.  Already, plans are underway to extend the initiative across the six geopolitical zones, as no community would be sidelined.  The Registrar of EHCON, Dr Yakubu Baba stated this in Abuja at a 3-day workshop organised by EHCON in collaboration with Afri-Tourism Investment Limited and West Africa Gas Pipeline Authority (WAGPA) with the theme: "AI-Driven Operations and Predictive Analysis." The essence of the workshop is to improve environmental health practice and prevent emerging diseases using artificial intelligent.   It is expected to empower Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) with the necessary digital skills needed to deepen environmental health practice and provide workable  solutions to problems.  Baba noted that integrating AI into environmental he...
Post a Comment
Read more

CCB, NILDS Endorse CIFCFIN Agenda To Eliminate Fraud

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Iliyasu Gashinbaki  The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) have endorsed the agenda of the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN), aimed at eliminating fraud from systems of government.  This was one of the major highlights during the Institute’s 13th Direct Training/Licensed Practitioners Training/graduation and award of Fellowship at NILDS headquarters, Abuja.  Speaking after his investiture as an Honourary Fellow of the Institute, Chairman of CCB, Dr. Abdullahi Bello noted that CIFICFIN embodies excellence, integrity and a steadfast commitment to combating fraud and upholding justice. He pointed out that to be recognised and honoured as a fellow of the institute is a privilege that he will cherish and carry with great responsibility.  “As the Chief Executive of CCB, I am reminded of the critical role we play in fosterin...
Post a Comment
Read more

EHCON Seals Deal With EPHAN On Sustainable Environmental Solutions

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja L-R- Registrar/ CEO of EHCON Dr. Yakubu Mohammed Baba and President of EPHAN, Dr. Samuel Akingbehin during a strategic engagement session on Friday in Abuja. In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) has sealed a deal with Public Health Association of Nigeria (EPHAN) on sustainable environmental solutions.  The partnership wlll also bolster  speedy implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on environmental and public health.  News Rider reports that SDG 3 places emphasis on good health and well-being through the reduction of noncommunicable diseases, combatting waterborne diseases.; as well as lowers death and illness from exposure to hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution.  This is even as SDG 6 guarantees clean water and sanitation through universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water and sanitation.  Addressing the media du...
Post a Comment
Read more