Coalition Condemns Continuous Attack on Journalists in Nigeria

Press Release

The Coalition of Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom again condemns the continuous attack on journalists in Nigeria and call on the government to protect all media workers in the country.

On the 1st of February, suspected hoodlums reportedly attacked workers of Channels and Arise TV at the TinCan Airport Apapa while recording the gridlock on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway Lagos.

In the same vein, gunmen stormed ThisDay newspapers head office at Utako where production and other staff were subjected to inhuman treatment, and their attackers threatened to return.

This rising incidence of attacks against journalists raises concerns for the protection of citizens’ rights, the ability of the state to ensure effective governance, and the statutory obligation of the news media to hold the government and state officials accountable as required by the 1999 constitution.

Another incident of abuse of power and lack of respect for the rule of law by the current administration among others is the current suspension of ‘Idon Mikiya’, a Hausa programme by Vision FM as a result of a discussion that highlights irregularities around the appointment of the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

The National Broadcasting Commission that serves as the regulatory body claimed it sanctioned the broadcast station for content harmful to the country’s national security. The commission reportedly fined ‘Idon Mikiya’ a sum of N5 Million.

This is a gross abuse of power, a trend that consistently shows that Nigerian Journalists aren’t protected but are consistently humiliated and abused while discharging their duty as prescribed by the 1999 constitution, as amended.

CWPPF is concerned about the threat against unity and democracy in Nigeria. We, therefore, call on the government to provide adequate security and protection for all journalists in Nigeria, especially while performing their statutory duty.

About the Coalition for Whistleblower Protection and Press Freedom, CWPPF The CWPPF is a group of media and civil society organisations committed to upholding democracy and good governance by protecting the ethos of whistleblowing, freedom of expression and press freedom.

CWPPF members

Premium Times

OrderPaper Advocacy Initiative

The Cable

Daily Trust Newspaper

International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR)

Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ)

Centre for Journalism, Innovation and Development (CJID)

African Centre for Media & Information Literacy (AFRICMIL)

Civic Media Lab (CML)

Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC)

International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR)