Media Rights Agenda has asked the Federal Government to comply with a 2024 Federal High Court judgment ordering it to investigate and prosecute attacks on journalists.
In a statement to mark World Press Freedom Day, MRA Programme Officer Ayomide Eweje said the government’s failure to obey the February 16, 2024 ruling is fueling impunity and encouraging more attacks.
“The state of media freedom in Nigeria remains deeply concerning,” Eweje said, adding: “We have seen a pattern of intimidation, harassment, and arbitrary arrests of journalists by security agencies.”
On February 16, 2024, Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, granted eight declaratory reliefs sought by MRA in a suit filed by lawyer Mojirayo Ogunlana.
The court ordered the Federal Government to prevent attacks on journalists, investigate and prosecute perpetrators, punish them, and ensure victims have access to remedies.
Over two years later, Eweje said, “the culture of impunity persists. Perpetrators are rarely held accountable, emboldening further violations and eroding public confidence in the rule of law.”
Reporters covering governance, corruption, and public accountability face threats, unlawful arrests, and physical attacks, MRA said. These actions violate journalists’ rights and undermine the public’s right to know.
Eweje flagged the misuse of the Cybercrime Act and other laws to target journalists, bloggers, and media platforms “under the guise of national security or protecting reputations of public officials.”
She also cited economic pressures: declining revenues and political influence that compromise editorial independence and limit investigative journalism.
“Media freedom is not a threat but a vital element of nation-building,” Eweje said. She urged government to end harassment and unlawful detention of journalists, ensure prompt investigations into attacks, and amend laws inconsistent with constitutional guarantees of free expression.
MRA sought full implementation of the Freedom of Information Act 2011 and an enabling environment for independent journalism.
It asked security agencies, regulators, and political actors to respect journalists’ rights, especially during elections and public interest reporting.
Eweje saluted journalists “who continue to carry out their work under difficult and often dangerous conditions,” saying their courage remains indispensable to democracy and citizens’ rights to information.
