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#PressFreedom, 2023 Elections, end impunity, IDEI, News, Nigeria Elections, Press Release, Safety of journalists

IDEI 2023: IPC demands urgent investigations into unresolved killings and attacks on Journalists; calls for commitment to UNESCO’s 3 Ps on safety of journalists especially during off-cycle governorship elections on Nov 11

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Press Release IDEI 2023: IPC demands urgent investigations into unresolved killings and attacks on Journalists; calls for commitment to UNESCO’s 3 Ps on safety of journalists especially during off-cycle governorship elections on Nov 11 For immediate release: Thursday, November 2, 2023 To commemorate this year’s International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (IDEI), the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria is calling for urgent but thorough investigations into the documented cases of crimes against journalists so that perpetrators can be held accountable. The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (IDEI) is observed yearly on November 2nd to pay tribute to journalists killed in the line of duty, and to raise awareness of the dangers of impunity for crimes committed against journalists. Based on UNESCO’s theme for this year’s commemoration – “Violence against journalists, the integrity of elections, and the role of public leadership” – IPC calls on Nigeria to take the lead in guaranteeing the safety of journalists at elections and while covering other assignments so that the country would not continue to rank poorly on global press freedom indicators. IPC affirms that the threats to journalism and press freedom are alarming on the grounds of the numerous monitored and documented incidents of attacks against journalists which has worsened in the past decade and largely remains judicially unresolved. Among the unsolved killings of journalists in the line of duty in Nigeria are those of Alex Ogbu (Regent Africa Times), Ikechukwu Onubogu, (Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS), Maxwell Nashan (Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria), Onifade Emmanuel Pelumi (Gboah TV) and Precious Owolabi (Channels TV). In addition, the IPC Centre for Safety and Protection of Journalists (ICSPJ) this year alone has recorded twenty-nine (29) cases of attacks involving thirty-nine (39) journalists across the country, including attacks on at least 12 journalists covering the February 2023 general elections – the journalists and other media professionals were subjected to harassment and intimidation. The nature of attacks include – Imposition of fine, physical assault, harassment, deleting of pictures, unlawful arrest, detention, intimidation, denial of access to polling unit to cover electoral process, molestation, threat to life, abduction, damage to vehicle, sporadic gunshot and explosion, while Persons/groups allegedly responsible were – NBC, political thugs, military officers, police officers, angry youths, alleged gunmen, security operatives, kidnappers and duty bearers. The Executive Director, IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade in a statement said: “Frequent attacks on journalists discourages the media from performing its core functions at elections, especially providing credible information to enable the people to make informed choices. He added: “The fight to end the entrenched culture of impunity for crimes against the media, requires a multi-stakeholder approach, this is why IPC along with other media support and media professional groups as well as other stakeholders including the civil society, have for some time spearheaded the campaign for the establishment of a national mechanism for the safety and protection of journalists in Nigeria”. Mr. Arogundade called on the Tinubu administration to take urgent measures to comply with regional and international frameworks on safety journalists, which UNESCO says should revolve around the three Ps of: Prevention, Protection and Prosecution. He enjoined the security and the law enforcement authorities to accord high priority to the safety of the Journalists who would be on duty during the off-cycle governorship elections in Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi States on November 11. Mr. Arogundade however enjoined the journalists to take responsibility for their own safety by adhering to election reporting safety advisory for journalists by IPC and the Nigeria Media Code of Election Coverage. SGD: Olutoyin Ayoade Communications Officer, IPC tayoade@ipcng.org

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EU Support Boosts Female Representation in Nigerian Leadership

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Accounting for half of the population, women in Nigeria remain significantly underrepresented in political engagement and governmental positions. Compared to other African nations, Nigeria ranks among the lowest in terms of female representation in political spheres, primarily due to entrenched structural and societal obstacles hindering women’s involvement in political decision-making. To address this disparity, the International Press Centre (IPC) initiated a capacity-building program aimed at enhancing women’s political participation in the forthcoming 2023 Nigerian Elections. As part of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria-Phase II (EUSDGN II) project, the organization conducted specialized training sessions under the media support component to empower female politicians from southern Nigeria and Kwara state. These sessions focused on advanced strategic communication, media engagement techniques, and the effective utilization of traditional and online platforms in political processes and campaigns. The EU training sessions conducted in Osogbo and Port-Harcourt on the 12th and 13th of December 2022 align with the objectives of the EU-SDGN media component, aiming to bolster the Nigerian media’s role in advancing democratic governance. This is achieved through fostering impartial, precise, principled, and comprehensive coverage of electoral processes and elections in Nigeria. These training sessions provided an invaluable platform for the 45 female candidates in attendance to engage with journalists, exchange perspectives, expectations, and insights on women’s involvement in politics. They also drew from the experiences of elected female politicians, focusing on implementing post-election initiatives and receiving capacity-building support. Noteworthy is the success story of four female lawmakers, namely Hon. Fakunle Iyabo Okieimen and Hon. Maryam Ogunlade from the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Rita Agbo Ayim from the Cross River State House of Assembly, and Hon. Ayibanegiyefa Egba from the Bayelsa State House of Assembly. These lawmakers, who participated in the IPC capacity-building initiatives before the 2023 State House of Assembly elections, credited the acquired skills for aiding them in developing effective campaign strategies and communicating compellingly with voters, ultimately contributing to their electoral triumphs. Hon. Ayibanegiyefa Egba, a member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly representing the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), emphasised the profound impact of the training session for female candidates in Port Harcourt on her political trajectory. Leveraging the insights gleaned from the training, she orchestrated transformative changes within her media team to refine specific elements of her campaign. This restructuring involved strategically reallocating team members to elevate the visual appeal and messaging of her manifesto, profile, and press releases, with a keen focus on resonating with grassroots voters via prominent online platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp. Furthermore, she adopted innovative tactics such as crafting visually engaging posters with compelling narratives for rallies, drawing inspiration from discussions on optimizing the visibility of female candidates across social media and digital channels. Through a concentrated effort on media development and fostering connections, Hon. Ayibanegiyefa Egba endeavored to bolster her presence within the political sphere. Honorable Rita Agbo Ayim, representing the PDP in Ogoja, Cross River, emerged victorious in the State House of Assembly elections. She highlighted the challenges faced in utilizing traditional media due to the unique circumstances of her location, which led her media team to focus on social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp to effectively communicate with rural audiences through group sharing. Furthermore, she undertook a proactive approach by conducting door-to-door campaigns, organizing rallies in marketplaces, and distributing campaign materials such as handbills and posters reflecting her revised manifestos developed after participating in a training workshop for female candidates facilitated by IPC. Capitalising on gender inclusivity, Rita engaged with clergy members to host women-centric town hall meetings across various communities in Ogoja, a strategic move that significantly contributed to her landslide victory in the election. Empowered by the training she received, Rita directed her media team to compile polling data from her constituency, a move aimed at bolstering her defense against potential legal challenges to her win by her opponent. Honorable Fakunle Iyabo Okieimen, who secured a seat in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, attributed her successful campaign to the subjects addressed in the training organised by IPC. She underscored that the training bolstered her understanding of the crucial influence of various media platforms, such as print, electronic, and online channels, in shaping her public persona and increasing voter awareness. In conclusion, the training programs supported by the European Union have played a pivotal role in empowering women in the region. These initiatives have provided women with the necessary skills and confidence to engage in political leadership roles actively. Their accomplishments not only position them as role models but also advocates for promoting a more equitable and inclusive social structure.    

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PRESS STATEMENT – IPC CONGRATULATES ELECTED FEMALE CANDIDATES, URGES LOSERS NOT TO DESPAIR

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The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos – Nigeria felicitates all elected female candidates following the recently concluded general elections. IPC especially congratulates four of the elected female lawmakers who were part of the 45 female candidates whose skills were enhanced during a two-day capacity building on strategic communication and media use ahead 2023 elections under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria – Phase II (EUSDGN II) project. The capacity building sessions, which were held December 2022, at Osogbo and Port-Harcourt respectively were part of the activities under Component 4 (Support to Media) implemented by IPC. Hon. Fakunle Iyabo Okieimen (Ekiti State House of Assembly); Hon. Maryam Ogunlade (Ekiti State House of Assembly); Hon. Rita Agbo Ayim (Cross River State House of Assembly) and Hon. Ayibanegiyefa Egba (Bayelsa State House of Assembly) are the distinguished four who were recipients of IPCs capacity building for female candidates prior to the elections. While noting that the knowledge gained were life-long skills which were generally and particularly useful in advancing the electoral aspirations of the female candidates, the Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade said: “we are indeed elated and rejoice with all the female candidates who emerged victorious in the recently concluded elections, especially those who went through our capacity building programme before the elections.” “It also gladdens our heart that there is a marginal increase in the number of women elected into office at the sub-national parliamentary level, compared to the 2019 elections. This is an indication that concerted efforts at positioning more women in political office has yielded results and this should be sustained, moreso as women play important roles in the strengthening of democracy”, Arogundade added. He therefore charged the elected female lawmakers to ensure that they make a difference by sponsoring or supporting motions and bills that will promote inclusive governance so that women, youths, persons with disabilities and rural dwellers can feel the positive effects of democracy. On the female candidates who did not succeed at the polls, Mr. Arogundade advised them not to be discouraged stating that the future would be bright as awareness is growing on the benefits of increased female participation in politics and governance. According to him, IPC will continue to partner with both the elected and non-elected female politicians on the promotion of inclusive governance in Nigeria. SGD: Melody Akinjiyan Programme Officer Component 4 (Support to media) EUSDGN II Project

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Press Release

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IPC CONDEMNS ELECTION-DAY ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS IN RIVERS, OGUN AND LAGOS, DEMANDS INVESTIGATION For immediate release, March 18, 2023 The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos is highly disturbed by the reported incidents of attacks on journalists and other media professionals covering the today’s governorship and House of Assembly elections in some parts of the country including Lagos, Ogun and Rivers States. IPC’s JOURNALISTS’ -ELECTION-DAY-SAFETY-ALERT-DESK has confirmed that AIT Reporters and cameramen including Henrietta Oke, Amarachi Amushie and Nkiru Nwokedi were molested and prevented from covering the elections at some polling units in Eti-Osa, Ifako-Ijaiye and Amuwo Odofin local government areas by political thugs and hoodlums. Journalist Nwokedi temporarily lost her phone before it was recovered with the help of Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) men while Journalist Amushie was rough handled, her camera damaged and the cameraman beaten in the presence of a political chieftain. The Alert Desk also established that Arise TV News crew comprising Reporter Oba Adeoye, Cameraman Opeyemi Adenihun and driver Yusuf Hassan was attacked while covering voting in Elegushi area of Lagos. “The cameraman, Opeyemi Adenihun suffered facial injuries while drones and equipment were seized” according to the news medium. In Ogun State, News Agency of Nigeria’s reporter, Adejoke Adeleye, was among journalists molested in Itori Odo Area of Abeokuta South Local government where they faced mob attack by political thugs who equally reportedly assaulted INEC officials with axes and allegedly destroyed ballot boxes. The details also include the denial of access to journalists who tried to capture voting in the polling unit of PDP Governorship candidate in Rivers State by some “overzealous police officers”. “The policemen refused passage despite the proof of identity provided by the journalists” the report from Rivers stated IPC strongly condemns these unacceptable attacks which constitute both the violation of the fundamental rights of the affected journalists and media workers and major assault on press freedom. “Following the attacks on journalists during the presidential and national Assembly elections on February 25, we had called on the Police, the Political Parties and all concerned to take measures to protect them today. It is therefore worrisome that such attacks have been repeated”, the Press Freedom and Safety Alert Desk Officer of IPC, Melody Lawal said in a statement. Mrs. Lawal charged the security agencies to thoroughly investigate the various attacks and ensure that the perpetrators face the consequences of their illegal and actions. SGD: Melody Lawal Press Freedom. Officer, IPC melodyakinjiyan@ipcng.org

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Press Release
MEDIA COVERAGE OF GUBERNATORIAL & HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS: IPC ADMONISHES JOURNALISTS TO ADHERE TO SAFETY & PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY

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For immediate release, Thursday March 16th, 2023. As the Gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections holds on Saturday, 18th March, 2023 the International Press Centre, IPC, Lagos-Nigeria, has urged journalists to adhere to the guidelines contained in the IPC safety and professional advisory, which is aimed at ensuring the safety of journalists in the course of covering and reporting the elections. This is sequel to the update of the advisory which was launched prior to the Presidential and National Assembly elections. The Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, said in a statement that the advisory which has been updated after the Presidential elections became imperative in light of the critical role that the media plays during electioneering processes and the growing concerns over journalists’ safety during elections. Mr. Arogundade noted that it is very important for journalists covering the elections to be guided by the existing ethics of professional coverage of the elections as well as to be safety conscious in the discharge of their duties, especially to avoid situations that will put them in harm’s way. “It is against this background that the advisory has been updated to a better readable and easier downloadable format which is divided into two parts – Safety and Ethics/Professionalism”, Arogundade said. “The advisory is for the purpose of ensuring journalists who are covering the elections are fully equipped with safety tools and precautions to engage with while on the field. The overall goal is to provide guidelines and practical advice for journalists so they may not become victims or targets of harassment or attack”, Arogundade added. The advisory also includes statements on the necessity for journalists to remain non-partisan; to maintain integrity as well as being conscious and aware of suspicious movements around them and those suspect they are being followed should immediately alert their newsrooms and other close contacts, among other provisions. Arogundade also enjoined other stakeholders, especially the security agencies to undertake the performance of their tasks in a civil and responsible manner. The details of the advisory can be accessed at SGD: Melody Akinjiyan Press Freedom Officer, IPC melodyakinjiyan@ipcng.org +2348132776441

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Communique

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Issued at the end of a One-Day Stakeholders’ Roundtable on the Media Monitoring Report on Trends in Coverage of 2023 Electoral Process, held on Wednesday March 8, 2023 at Echelon Heights Hotel, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Preamble The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria, the lead implementing partner of Component 4 (Support to Media) of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria – Phase 2 (EUSDGN II) project, convened a one-day stakeholders’ roundtable on the outcome of the media monitoring report on the trends in coverage of 2023 electoral process (January 2023) on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The roundtable brought together media stakeholders to analyse the issues arising from the trends in reportage of 15 print/online newspapers and observation on the activities on INEC website/twitter platform for the period January 2023. The roundtable also addressed related issues of media coverage of the 2023 electoral process, especially ahead of the Governorship and House of Assembly elections following which the Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage and the Safety Advisory on the Coverage of Elections were also presented and discussed. The roundtable was attended by the leadership of media professional bodies/associations; reporters from the print, broadcast and online mediums and representatives of the academia and the civil society.  Those in attendance and who delivered goodwill remarks and presentations included Mrs. Susan Serekara-Nwikhana, Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Rivers State chapter and Comrade Job Stanley, Chairman of Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), who also doubled as a discussant of the expert review by Dr. Dike Harcourt Whyte of Rivers State University. The other discussant was Mrs. Emem Okon, the Executive Director of Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre. IPC’s Communication Officer, Ms. Olutoyin Ayoade, delivered the welcome remarks while the Executive Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade made a presentation on the Conflict Sensitivity and Safety Consciousness in the context of the Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage. Observations: Following the presentations, the participants observed that: Recommendations: In line with the requirements of the Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage and other regulatory frameworks like the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and the Electoral Act 2022 as well as the IPC Safety Advisory, the participants recommended that journalists and other media professionals should in the aftermath of the presidential and National Assembly elections and ahead of the governorship and state assembly elections strive to: Finally, the participants called on the government, the law enforcement and security agents, the political parties, the Independent National Electoral Commission and media proprietors to ensure that they provide the enabling environment for journalists to professionally report the electoral processes and elections. SGD:                                                                                                                         Melody Akinjiyan                                                                                       Press Freedom/Project Officer, IPC   melodyakinjiyan@ipcng.org                                                                            

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MEDIA COVERAGE OF 2023 ELECTIONS: IPC HOLDS STAKEHOLDERS’ ROUNDTABLE ON MONITORING REPORT…… UNVEILS THE REVISED NIGERIAN MEDIA CODE OF ELECTION COVERAGE

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For Immediate Release: Sunday, January 22, 2023 The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria, is convening a stakeholders’ roundtable at which it will present the findings from its on-going media monitoring of coverage of elections. The roundtable event which will be held on Tuesday January 24, 2023, will feature discussions on the findings of the monitoring in October and November 2022 and the presentation of the revised Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage. The convergence which shall attract stakeholders from the media, civil society, academia, regulatory bodies, and other relevant organisations will present the opportunity for the media monitoring report to be assessed. The media monitoring is one of the activities being implemented by IPC under an EU funded project entitled, “Strengthening the media for fair, accurate, ethical, and inclusive coverage of the electoral processes and elections in Nigeria”. The Executive Director IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade in a statement said: “In addition to promoting democratic elections, the analysis of the media monitoring report of the 2023 elections is pivotal in determining the extent to which the elections can be said to be inclusive”. He added: “This is why IPC will also present a performance scorecard by the monitored media based on their promotion of inclusive issues in their coverage and reportage of the electoral processes and elections particularly in line with the stipulations of the Media Code of Election Coverage”. The newspapers monitored are The Punch, The Guardian, Daily Sun, Vanguard, ThisDay, Nigerian Tribune, The Nation, Leadership, Daily Trust, and Daily Independent while the five online media include The Cable, the Premium Times, Eagle Online, RealNews and the Authority. Also monitored are the News Portal (website) and the twitter handles of Nigeria’s election management body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Prof Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika of the Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lagos, shall serve as the reviewer of the reports, while Mr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren, General Secretary, NGE and Dr. Chido Onumah, Coordinator of AFRICMIL, (Vice President, North Central, ACSPN), shall be the lead discussants. The overall goal of the media component under EUSDGN II of which IPC is the lead partner is to “Support the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria with the media (broadcast, print and online media) helping to facilitate the key ingredient of credible elections through engagement and professionalism in coverage and reportage of the electoral processes.” The other partner is the Institute of Media Society (IMS).   SGD: Olutoyin Ayoade Communications Officer Component 4 (Support to Media) EUSDGN II Project tayoade@ipcng.org

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