INTERNATIONAL DAY TO END IMPUNITY FOR CRIMES AGAINST JOURNALISTS

INTERNATIONAL DAY TO END IMPUNITY FOR CRIMES AGAINST JOURNALISTS: IPC CALLS ON MEDIA STAKEHOLDERS TO STRENGTHEN COOPERATION FOR ENABLING ENVIRONMENT ON SAFETY OF JOURNALISTS For immediate release, November 2, 2024 The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria is calling on media and relevant stakeholders to work in greater partnership to create a safe and enabling environment for journalists to operate. IPC is making the call today as journalists, other media professionals and freedom of expression groups mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists with the theme: Safety of Journalists in Crises and Emergencies. IPC regrets that the safety of journalists during crises and emergencies in the country remain unguaranteed as evidenced by attacks on the media and journalists during the recent #EndBadGovernance protests and previous ones such as #EndSars. IPC is particularly worried that the perpetrators of the worsening spate of attacks are rarely brought to justice hence the regime of impunity for crimes against journalists continue to reign while the country also continues to rank high among countries where press freedom and freedom of expression are constantly under threat. IPC holds that the outcome of the documentation of attacks on journalists by its Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) hub is disturbing as the database shows that within the past nine (9) months not less than forty (40) incidents of physical assault, harassment, threat to life, torture, kidnapping, unlawful arrest/detention, loss/damage of valuables and gadgets (camera, phones, midgets, money, etc.) among others and involving over sixty-five (65) journalists and other media professionals were recorded. The report revealed that the number of highest cases recorded were in the month of August during the ‘End Bad Governance Protest’ held across the country. Find the details here: STATE OF ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS IN NIGERIA THE YEAR 2024 (JANUARY – SEPTEMBER) REPORT | International Press Centre – IPC Name of Journalist Gender News Medium Nature of Attack Alleged Perpetrators Location of Attack Benard Akede Male News Central Television Harassment & barred from conducting live broadcast Police officers & LCC officials Lagos State Ibrahim Isah Male TVC News Physical assault Hoodlums Kano State Eleven (11) journalists Not mentioned Not mentioned Vehicle vandalism (Channels TV) & attempt to assault journalists on board Hoodlums Kano State Yakubu Mohammed Male Premium Times Physical assault & cameras of journalists destroyed Police officers FCT, Abuja Jide Oyekunle Male   Daily Independent Unlawful arrest Police officers FCT, Abuja Mary Adeboye Female News Central Television Physical assault (tear gas) Police officers FCT, Abuja Team of journalists led by Joseph Abasi-Abasi Male Nigerian Tribune Physical assault & vandalism of NUJ vehicle Hoodlums Cross-River State Jonathan Ugbal Male Cross River Watch Unlawful arrest & detention Police officers Cross-River State Matthew Ochei     Monday Osayande   Lucy Male     Male     Male Punch Newspaper   Guardian Newspaper Pointer Newspaper Physical assault & destruction of gadgets and working tools Anti-protesters Delta State Olukayode Jayeola Male The Punch Newspaper Unlawful arrest & confiscation of camera and personal belongings Police officers FCT, Abuja Not mentioned Not mentioned The Punch Newspaper, Premium Times, The Cable, Peoples Gazatte Gunshots fired at vehicle conveying journalists Masked security operatives FCT, Abuja Not mentioned Not mentioned Radio Ndarason Internationale Unlawful arrest Security operatives Borno State Not mentioned Not mentioned News Central Television Crew Physical assault Thugs Lagos State The Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade in a statement said the precarious situation is unwelcome and deserving of the attention of media stakeholders.  “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,” Mr. Arogundade said. Mr. Arogundade called on the Presidency to mandate security operatives to carry out the necessary investigations on unresolved cases of attacks on journalists while he also urged the Inspector General of Police to publicly disclose what has so far been done towards unraveling the mystery behind killed journalists in Nigeria. SGD: Melody Akinjiyan Press Freedom Officer, IPC melodyakinjiyan@ipcng.org