IPC warns against increased attacks on journalists covering protests
The International Press Centre has issued a warning about the rising incidents of attacks on journalists by both security agents and hoodlums, which they believe are intentional efforts to discourage truthful reporting on the ongoing protests.
On Thursday, officials from the National Security Adviser’s office abducted The PUNCH photojournalist Kayode Jaiyeola and confiscated his camera and phones. As of the time of this report, his belongings have not been returned.
In the Federal Capital Territory on Friday, police officers used teargas against journalists covering the protest at the Berger roundabout.
On Saturday, masked security operatives fired shots at journalists at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Bullets hit a Premium Times reporter’s car, which was transporting journalists from The Punch, The Cable, Premium Times, and Peoples Gazette.
In Maiduguri, Borno State, nine staff members of Radio Ndarason Internationale were arrested by security officials while they were reporting on the protests.
Numerous other journalists covering the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests have faced harassment and victimization from both security agents and hoodlums.
In response to these attacks, IPC’s Press Freedom Officer Melody Akinjiyan, in a statement on Saturday, highlighted the severe implications for journalists’ safety and the integrity of information available to the public.
“As the #EndBadGovernance protests enter the third day, the International Press Centre, Lagos finds it totally appalling that journalists covering and reporting the protests are still being targeted, victimized and brutally assaulted by security officials, hoodlums and anti-protesters. IPC frowns at this inhumane attitude towards the media and press men and women in the course of serving as a societal watchdog.
Information gathered by IPC’s journalists’ safety alert situation room revealed that there is a continuous increase in the number of journalists and media professionals who are facing one form of attack or the other including physical assault, harassment, unlawful detention, etc. IPC believes these increasing attacks are meant to deter the media from reporting the truth about the protests.
This disturbing trend undermines not only the safety of the journalists concerned but also the integrity of the information citizens can rely on to understand the full scope of the crisis,” he stated.
Akinjiyan called on Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun and other security agency heads to take action.
“IPC reiterates the need for the Inspector General of Police and all other security agencies to call their men on the field to order. It is also crucial that all stakeholders come together to condemn the abuse and harassment of journalists and demand immediate protection for those on the field. Our collective voice is a powerful tool for advocating for their safety and ensuring that their essential work continues unhindered. IPC will continue to call for an end to the brutality and for a renewed commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of all journalists,” Akinjiyan urged.
