…Demands Strong Commitment to End Attacks on the Media, Journalists

…Says Nigeria Now One of West Africa’s Most Difficult Countries for Journalists

…As JFC Wants Journalists to Tackle Misinformation, Harmful Content

ActionAid Nigeria (AAN), a humanitarian non-governmental organization working to promote human rights, combat poverty and all forms of injustice in the world’s largest Black country, has called on Nigerian government to uphold its commitment to create a safe and favourable environment for human rights defenders, Journalists and civil society.

This is coming on the heels of the call by Journalists For Christ (JFC) International, an association of Christian journalists and allied professionals in Nigeria and beyond, on  journalists to discharge their constitutional duties professionally by tackling misinformation and other harmful content, even as they continue to hold government accountable.

Speaking in Abuja, the Country Director, Ms Ene Obi said, “The freedom of the press is one of the essential cornerstones of a democratic society. But, in Nigeria, there has been a consistent and dangerous attempt by both state and non-state actors to breach not only local and international statutes guaranteeing the essential freedom of expression but to expurgate and censure the media and journalists while doing their legitimate duties”.

In a report released by Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ) on November 13, 2020, it was found that a total of 160 journalists were attacked in Nigeria between 2018 and 2020. The PTCIJ’s report indicated that the repression of the media and journalists in Nigeria ranges from physical attacks, arrests and detentions, unconstitutional legal proceedings, repressive laws, and cyber-attacks amongst others.

In another recent report on Nigeria titled, “Climate of Violence,” Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranked the country at 120th position in the 2021 World Press Freedom Index and stated that “Nigeria is now one of West Africa’s most dangerous and difficult countries for journalists, who are often spied on, attacked, arbitrarily arrested or even killed.”

At its last Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in 2018, the Nigerian Government had made a commitment to protect and promote freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, and to create a safe and favourable environment for human rights defenders, journalists, and civil society. Unfortunately, these commitments have not translated to action by government as many cases of impunity against the media and journalists have led to the poor rating the country has received.

ActionAid Nigeria, therefore, calls on the government and other stakeholders in Nigeria to use the opportunity of the World Press Freedom Day to take action to improve on the country’s appalling record of repression of the media and journalists. Specifically, we also call on the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to review some of the stringent terms and conditions gagging or threatening press freedom and the rights to freedom of expression by citizens.

In line with this year’s World Press Freedom Day theme: “Information as a Public Good,” the organisation says, “NBC should liberalise media social actions because we also affirm the importance of cherishing information as a public good. It is vital to have access to reliable information – especially in an era of misinformation.

“Additionally, the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Governors of the 36 states of the Federation and the FCT should make strong commitments to end attacks on the media and journalists while increasingly expanding the space for free speech and respect for the rule of law. More importantly, media proprietors must also ensure improved welfare package for journalists in Nigeria.”

ActionAid Nigeria is a national non-governmental, non-partisan, non-religious, civil society organization, and an affiliate member of the ActionAid International Federation with presence in 45 countries. AAN works in solidarity with people living in poverty and exclusion to achieve social justice, gender equality and poverty eradication towards achieving a just, equitable and sustainable world in which every person enjoys the right to a life of dignity, freedom from poverty and all forms of oppression

Also speaking on the occasion of the WPFD, Journalists For Christ (JFC) International, an association of Christian journalists and allied professionals in Nigeria and beyond, has tasked journalists on the need to discharge their constitutional duties professionally by tackling misinformation and other harmful content, even as they continue to hold government accountable.

While extolling media professionals for their role as partners in national development, JFC Int’l said information is crucial to human existence hence the need for journalists to not only disseminate adequate information to members of the public but also the right information.

This was contained in a statement issued by the founding President of JFC and Media Development Expert, Mr Lekan Otufodunrin on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day 2021.

The World Press Freedom Day, marked every May 3rd, acts as a reminder to governments on the need to respect press freedom and also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics.

Otufodunrin, who is the executive director, Media Career Development Network and a former managing editor at The Nation, also called on Nigerians to demonstrate more support for press freedom in the country which will enable journalists play their expected role in educating the public with the right information and content.

The statement reads, “As media organisations and associations worldwide commemorates the World Press Freedom Day today, May 3, 2021, Journalists for Christ (JFC), the Association for Christian Journalists and allied professional in Nigeria, urges media professionals in Nigeria to ensure access to verified and reliable information for the people.

“The theme for this year’s celebration “Information as a Public Good” is very apt considering the urgent need, more than ever before, to ensure that people have access to the right information at all times.

“New media technologies have enhanced freedom of expression, dissemination and access to information, but the level of  misinformation and dissemination have become worrisome.

“Fake news have become the order of the day with many false information and harmful content being disseminated regarding the  COVID-19 pandemic and other major crises.

“In line with the statement by UNESCO Director General, Audrey Azulay, this year’s celebration should call attention to the  essential role of free and professional journalists in  producing and disseminating this information, by tackling misinformation and other harmful content.

“In this regard, the media in Nigeria and worldwide needs the necessary freedom and support to be able to play its expected role in properly informing and educating the public.

“Hence, the information people get should be empowering and lifesaving for public good not harmful to individual and corporate existence,” Otufodunrin said.

Established in April,1998, JFC International has continued to demonstrate commitment towards reconciling the media to God by promoting Christian ethics in journalism practice in line with its vision.

Photo: Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Muhammed