Editors, others task incoming administration on press freedom, FOI implementation

The Nigerian National Committee of the Vienna-based International Press Institute (IPI) has tasked the incoming government to be inaugurated in Nigeria on May 29 to commit to creating a better operating environment for journalists and media organisations.

Making the demand against the backdrop of the 2023 World Press Freedom Day commemoration, the IPI noted that Nigerian journalists were in perpetual danger, as cases of media and journalists’ harassment have become rampant in recent years.

These violations include arrests, physical attacks, denial of access, threats, equipment damage, equipment seizure, lawsuits and high-handedness and arbitrariness by some agencies of government.

“We are urging the incoming government to embrace a new attitude by deliberately improving the operational environment of journalists and the media.

“While state actors, especially state governors, must end intimidation and harassment of journalists, Nigerian politicians and political parties should also desist from the use of online trolls to attack journalists and media organisations,” the Institute stated.

The IPI added that there were still a number of oppressive and media-unfriendly laws, such as those on criminal defamation and cybercrime, that needed to be amended.

It advised the government to carry out widespread sensitisation of security operatives, in order to make them understand that journalists and the media are key elements of democracy.

“IPI Nigeria demands that the incoming government commits to the total implementation of the FOI Act. This is because the free flow of information is essential to the survival and growth of democracy.

“Misinformation and disinformation thrive more robustly when authorities withhold information that ordinarily should be made available to the public.”

Similarly, the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) decried the continued assault on press freedom in Nigeria, despite the crucial role the media in propagating human rights.

The NAS Capoon, Abiola Owoaje, expressed sadness that “with all the technological advances that have been recorded with regard to information dissemination and advocacy for human rights, the world is still grappling with a worrisome scale of international disregard for press freedom, freedom of expression, and safety of journalists”.

However, President Muhammadu Buhari insists that journalists and media organisations had “unfettered freedom” under his administration.

“We have kept the faith. We have ensured that Nigerian journalists have had unfettered freedom to practice their art, and on this occasion of World Press Freedom Day, we recommit to that resolution, even as we wind down in office,” the presidency said.

In his speech to mark the 30^th commemoration of Press Freedom, the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres noted that the landmark celebration was a tribute to media professionals, who risk their lives to keep society informed and educated.

“Freedom of the press is the foundation of democracy and justice. It gives all of us the facts we need to shape opinions and speak truth to power. But in every corner of the world, freedom of the press is under attack,” Guterres said.

This year’s celebration marks 30 years since the UN General Assembly’s decision proclaiming an international day for press freedom.