Mohammed Shosanya
A documentary released by International Press Centre(IPC),and Safety and Protection of Journalists hub,has alleged that police officers are the highest perpetrators of the attacks on journalists during crises,including EndSARS nationwide protest and EndBadGoverrnance nationwide protests.
There were about 40 incidents of attack on journalists,most of which occured in August,according to the findings of SPJ hub,which covers January 2024 to September 2024.
No fewer than 65 journalists and other media professionals were attacked,the group said.
These findings were made public on Saturday to mark the International Day To End Impunity For Crimes Against Journalists, with the theme:”Safety of Journalists in Crises and Emergencies
The Executive Director of International Press Centre(IPC), Mr. Lanre Arogundade,implored President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to publicly give updates on investigations into the killing of some journalists in Nigeria.
He advised President Tinubu to order security operatives to investigate all unresolved attacks on journalists in the country.
In dual statements signed and released by Melody Akinjiyan, Press Freedom Officer, IPC, Mr. Arogundade regretted that safety of journalists during crises and emergencies in the country is not guaranteed judging by the research and data collection carried out by Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) hub
Mr. Arogundade said:“We are calling for an end to impunity for crimes against journalists in Nigeria. We cannot turn a blind eye to attacks against journalists.
“We attach the highest priority to the safety of journalists and other media actors. We oppose any action,legislation,regulation or political pressure that limits freedom of the press.
“Acts of intimidation and violence against journalists in Nigeria have to end for democracy to survive. Attacks against media institutions and journalists are attacks against democratic rights including the right of the public to know the truth about the way they are governed.
“We call on the Presidency to mandate security operatives to carry out the necessary investigations on unresolved cases of attacks on journalists while we also urge the Inspector General of Police to publicly disclose what has so far been done towards unraveling the mystery behind killed journalists in Nigeria.”
On the recommendations of its research unit, IPC stated: “Full details of the analysis of the documented attacks, reveals that the actions taken by SPJ-Hub have been mostly statements of condemnation and requests for investigation to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
“We have also produced documentaries that have enabled victims of the immediate past period to provide greater detail about what they went through and the psycho-social effects on them and their close ones.
“IPC is glad that arising from the efforts so far, media stakeholders are now working on institutional and legislative frameworks that will expand the frontiers of press freedom.
“We consider this a welcome development and hope that the efforts yield fruits sooner than later.
“Under the SPJ-Hub,we shall also intensify our capacity building for journalists on safety in reporting especially in relation to investigative journalism, conflicts and elections.
“It would be recalled that with regards to safety in election reporting, we have already produced some guidelines that can be accessed through the downloadable app -IPC Media & Elections.
“As we continue to make efforts with other interest groups, our message to our governments is that they have a constitutional obligation to guarantee press freedom and ensure the safety of journalists.
“We shall not relent in making them to realize that a free press makes democracy meaningful.”
