A coalition led by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) and Citizens Gavel has made an urgent plea to President Bola Tinubu and his administration to put an end to the increasing harassment and violent attacks faced by journalists in Nigeria. This call to action was issued on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, underscoring the urgent need for protective measures to safeguard press freedom across the nation.
CJID and Citizens Gavel, in a statement obtained by Chronicles Reporters, stressed the critical importance of immediate interventions to halt the persistent incidents of harassment and intimidation against journalists. The coalition noted that this call builds on a previous letter sent on July 29, 2024, urging President Tinubu to address the unwarranted arrests, detentions, and numerous other forms of intimidation directed at journalists and media professionals in Nigeria.
The July letter also included a series of recommendations intended to ensure the safety of journalists and uphold press freedom. According to the coalition, between May 29, 2023, and June 30, 2024, the CJID’s Press Attack Tracker recorded 51 confirmed incidents of press freedom violations, with 37 of these incidents taking place from January 1 to June 30, 2024. However, since that initial letter, the situation has worsened: between July 1 and October 22, 2024, no fewer than 90 additional cases of attacks on the press were documented.
The disturbing rise in violations, predominantly linked to state actors, has heightened concerns among journalists and press freedom advocates. The coalition expressed that these ongoing attacks pose a significant threat to journalists’ safety and undermine the democratic values of free speech and public accountability.
In their renewed call to the President, the coalition urged him to implement strong laws and policies that will reinforce protections for journalists, enabling them to carry out their roles without fear of intimidation or reprisal. They outlined specific measures, including:
Conducting thorough investigations into recent cases of journalist detentions and attacks, holding all perpetrators accountable.
Encouraging cooperation across government branches to respect press freedom, as enshrined in Nigeria’s Constitution, which guarantees the rights of journalists.
Engaging the police, army, and State Security Service (DSS) to understand their obligations to uphold press freedom and follow proper protocol on freedom of expression issues.
Collaborating with media professionals and stakeholders to create a safer and more conducive environment for journalism to thrive in Nigeria.
Ensuring that complaints against journalists, in relation to their professional duties, are first reviewed by the Nigerian Media Complaints Commission (NMCC) — the National Ombudsman. This body would establish a prima facie case before any journalist is called in for questioning or detained.
As the global community marks the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, CJID, Citizens Gavel, and allied organizations emphasize the vital role that journalism plays in safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy. They hope that President Tinubu will seize this opportunity to reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to press freedom and the safety of journalists, allowing them to report openly and without fear.
The coalition remains resolute in advocating for press freedom, seeing it as essential for democratic accountability and the nation’s sustainable development. They have called on all stakeholders, including government officials and civil society groups, to unite in this critical cause for the protection of press freedom in Nigeria.
The release was signed by Sylvester Agih, Legal Consultant for Citizens Gavel, and Busola Ajibola, Deputy Director of the Journalism Programme at CJID.
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