CJID, Citizens’ Gavel, Journalists, and Others Write to Tinubu Over Press Freedom Attacks

The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), Citizens’ Gavel, Journalists, Media Professionals, and other CSOs have, in a formal letter written to President Bola Tinubu, urged the government to “urgently” address the “incessant” and “unwarranted” attacks and harassment on journalists across the country.

This was contained in a joint press statement released on Wednesday, citing, “The role of the media in a democracy cannot be overstated as Journalists and media professionals play a pivotal role in promoting good governance, transparency, and accountability.”

According to the joint statement,

There has been a disturbing rise in incidents involving the unlawful arrest, harassment, intimidation, violence, and detention of journalists who are simply carrying out their professional duties over unfounded claims” since Tinubu controversially took office between May 29th, 2023 and June 30th, 2024.

[Sic] These actions not only threaten the safety and lives of journalists and media professionals but also undermine the fundamental principles of freedom of expression and the press, the statement added.

While the group urged President Tinubu to “take swift and concrete steps to protect journalists and media professionals and uphold their rights,” it also penned six urgent demands.

The group demanded that President Tinubu implement laws and other measures to strengthen press freedom protection, allowing journalists and media professionals as democracy watchdog to operate as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution “without any fear of attack and intimidation.”

To conduct thorough investigations into recent cases of journalist’ detention and all reported cases of attacks on journalists, and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book,” the group added.

The group also urged the President to “engage” and “pressure” all government branches to commit to respecting press freedom. This is in addition to all security agencies adhering to their roles in protecting press freedom.

Furthermore, the group urged President Tinubu to engage media professionals and its stakeholders to “facilitate constructive dialogue” on issues surrounding press freedom and journalists’ safety while directing that complaints against journalists concerning their work be first reported to and investigated by the Nigeria Media Complaints Commission (NMCC) or the National Ombudsman.

“A prima facie (at first view) case should be established before the journalist concerned is invited, arrested, or prosecuted,” the group stated.

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Mayowa Durosinmi

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