Media Professionals, and human rights activists in Nigeria, have raised alarm on violations of journalists rights, calling for a free press and an enabling environment to aid journalist discharging their role effectively. This call comes on the heel of the Human RIghts Journalism Network (HRJN) Symposium on Press Freedom day which emphasized the central role of a free press in addressing global challenges.
The event which was themed “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis,” decried the persistent threats to press freedom in Nigeria.
Executive Director of Nigeria Rights Agenda, Mr. Edetaen Ojo, stressed the need for journalists to assert their rights and seek redress when violated. He cited at least 45 cases of attacks and violations against journalists within the first year of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presidency. Ojo emphasized the importance of a free, independent and empowered press, stating, “Where the media is weak and has little resources, ans freedom there will be of little value in the enforcement of human rights.”
Ojo who referenced the National Commission on Press Freedom and Protection of Journalists in Nigeria and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights’ Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa (2019), stressed that the state’s responsibility is to create a conducive environment for journalists to report freely, guaranteeing their security and preventing attacks, arbitrary arrests, and unlawful treatment.
“The state needs to guarantee the security of journalists and other practitioners. The responsibility of the state to guarantee safety and prevent attacks on Journalists and other media practitioners, including modern extrajudicial killings, torture, and other forms of ill treatment and arbitrary arrest and detention,” Ojo said.
The also comes on the heels of recently freed Journalist of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Daniel Ojukwu. Ojukwu had been arrested by the Intelligence Response Team of the Inspector general of police, and was incommunicado with his family and friends till his release 10 days later after meeting with bail conditions.
Bunmi Yekini, Vice Chairperson of the National Association of Women Journalists, Lagos Chapter, also highlighted the correlation between environmental issues, health emergencies, and citizens’ wellbeing. She emphasized the importance of factual reporting and the need for journalists to amplify suppressed stories.
In his contributions, Robert Egbe, a journalist and Communications Officer for Corporate Accountability and Public Participation in Africa (CAPPA), warned against attempts to privatize public water in Lagos State, while he stressed the importance of preserving this fundamental human right.
Executive Director of Human Rights Journalists Network, Mr. Kehinde Adegboyega also underscored the importance of regular dialogues to resist oppression and advocate for the preservation of freedom of speech and press.
The symposium, which was organized by the Human Rights Journalists Network Nigeria (HRJN) in collaboration with UNESCO, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the United Nations Information Center in Lagos, concluded with a call for unity and solidarity among newsrooms to combat abuses and uphold press freedom in Nigeria.