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NBC’s Threat on Channels TV Unacceptable – IPC

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April 27, 2021Press StatementNBC’s Threat on Channels TV Unacceptable – IPCFor immediate release: Tuesday April 27, 2021 On Sunday April 25, 2021, several Nigerian and international media outlets reported that a tactical team of the Nigerian Army, the Police, and the Department of State Services (DSS), carried out a joint attack on the headquarters of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the military wing of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The Media outlets reported the Nigerian Army as saying that one Ikonso Commander, alleged to be the commander of IPOB military and seven others were killed during the operation in Awomama, East Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria.  ThisDay, one of the many Nigerian Newspapers that reported the incident, quoted Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, the Nigerian Army spokesman, as saying that “the operation in Imo State was launched in the early hours of Saturday following an intelligence report on the location of the IPOB headquarters and the movement of the commander popularly known as “Ikonso Commander”. The army has not denied any of the statements credited to its spokesman in relation to the operation against IPOB and ESN, its military wing. Against the above background, it is absolutely confounding that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has threatened to sanction Channels Television for interviewing the spokesman of the proscribed organization during the broadcast of its ‘Politics Today’ Programme on Sunday April 25, 2021, despite the fact that the station was merely doing a follow-up on the story which had broken earlier. Channels Television was actually acting in the public and national interest by seeking to question the spokesperson of an organisation whose existence, despite proscription, the government especially through the Nigerian army has continuously recognised and which in the past couple of weeks has been accused of being responsible for reprehensible acts of serial killing of policemen and arson in Imo State and other parts of the South-east. It should be noted that in the course of the said interview, the anchor Mr. Seun Okinbaloye, did refer to IPOB as a proscribed organisation, just like many other media outlets that had previously reported the tactical assault on its operational headquarters.  The decision of the Nigerian media to report the alleged activities of IPOB is in full cognisance of the fact that there is no law of the Nigerian Federation that forbids the media from reporting the activities or alleged activities of a proscribed organisation.  In the circumstance therefore, we find the NBC’s letter of April 26, 2021, addressed to the Managing Director of Channels Television, and titled ‘INCITING COMMENTS BY PROSCRIBED GROUP: POLITICS TODAY’ as unwarranted and highly intimidatory. By threatening that the station “remains liable to sanctions provided in section 15 of the code which prescribes among others – suspension of broadcast license and the fine of 5million’ and ordering the suspension of the politics today Programme, the NBC has embarked on another round of violation of press freedom in Nigeria.The NBC has again violently violated the rules of natural justice and fair hearing by constituting itself into the accuser, the prosecutor and the judge in the case between it and Channels Television over the interview in contention.  We hereby call on NBC to stop treading this anti press freedom path by withdrawing its letter to Channels Television.  

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IPC DECRIES THREATS ON JOURNALIST JAAFAR JAAFAR’S LIFE

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PRESS STATEMENT For Immediate release, April 22, 2021The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos – Nigeria is disturbed about the reported threats on the life of Daily Nigeria publisher Jaafar who went into hiding because of fear for his life as unidentified persons, likely to be ‘hitmen’ had been stalking him both at his Abuja and Kano residences. These threats came after Jaafar had published video clips of Governor Abudullahi Ganduje of Kano State in October 2018, allegedly showing him collecting bribe in dollars from a contractor. Following the Governor’s recent interview with BBC Hausa on Friday, March 19, 2021 where he said that they were making plans to deal with those who released the videos, Jaafar wrote a petition to the then Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu on the renewed threats to his life. On the 14th of April, 2021, Jaafar further received an invitation from the Inspector General of Police monitoring unit for questioning alleging that he was inciting violence and spreading injurious falsehood against the Inspector General of Police.Report reaching IPC’s Safety Alert Desk reveals that, yesterday, April 22, 2021 Jaafar posted on his Facebook page that, “he is now out of hiding and hopes to be safe.” The Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade said, “We are deeply worried about the situation of Jaafar and hereby call on the Nigerian government and the security agencies to ensure that he is not harmed in anyway.” We enjoin anyone who may be aggrieved over the reports of the journalist to ensure thorough investigation is conducted following the due process of the law, Arogundade said further.IPC believes the time has come to stop attacks on journalists in Nigeria, so that the country would stop being counted among dangerous zones for journalists to practice across the world. SGD:Melody LawalProgram Officer/Safety Alert Desk Officer, IPCmelodyakinjiyan@ipcng.org+2348132776441

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Call for Expression of Interest: Training on Safety, Security and Managing Trauma in Investigative Reporting

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The International Press Centre (IPC) invites entries from print, online and broadcast journalists in Nigeria across the six geopolitical zones to participate in a virtual capacity building program under its Enhanced Safety Awareness Programme. The project is supported by the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX), to promote safety reporting of the Covid-19 pandemic and other crisis situations. The first webinar will build the capacity of journalists from the North Central, North East, and North West zones while the second webinar will be cantered on journalists from the South South, South East, and South West zones. Interested journalists are required to apply here:       Note that application does not guarantee automatic participation as selection will be based on critical evaluation of the responses. Only the selected journalists will be contacted, but IPC will establish a data base of all applicants for information sharing on any other training/fellowship opportunities and media development. Deadline: Thursday April 23, 2021 APPLY HERE:

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Media Monitoring Report of Health‐Related Issues (An analysis of trends in reportage of health and other related issues in December 2020)

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This report is a summary of the outcome of a one-month media monitoring of health-related issues in four newspapers, namely, The Punch, Daily Sun, Vanguard  and Premium Times (published online only). The monitoring was conducted on health related media reports published in the aforementioned newspapers in December 2020, as a baseline components of the Media in Health Care Accountability Project (MEHCAP), being implemented by the International Press Centre (IPC) with the funding support of the US Consulate General, Lagos. The Media in Health Care Accountability Project (MeHCAP) is conceived within the context of the strategic initiative of building and rebuilding the capacity of the media and journalists to serve as effective catalysts of fundamental health care reforms. The project anticipates investigative and community-driven health reporting initiatives to ensure the emergence of functional hospitals and other health care facilities with the functionality measured by adequate response to the needs of the people at the primary and secondary health sector levels. In the context of this strategic initiative, the aim of the monitoring is to provide baseline information that would help in the structuring of a training programme for 45 journalists in the three regions of South South, South East and South West. Click link to access the findings: Report

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Nigerian Press Council (NPC) delegation meets with the International Press Centre (IPC)

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The International Press Centre (IPC) earlier today received a team from the Nigerian Press Council (NPC). The NPC team consisting of Mr. F.N Nwosu (Executive Secretary), Dr. D.O Adeniken (Director Finance & Accounts), Mrs. Stella Jibrin (Director Research and Documentation), Mrs. Nenne Antia (Director LLO), Mrs. Ngozi Ikeji (Deputy Director, Legal Unit) met with IPC delegates to discuss possible initiatives to broaden the scope of NPC collaborations with stakeholders and the enhancement of media ethics and professionalism in Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen the NPC’s objectives.  

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IPC WELCOMES PROMPT INTERVENTION OF LAGOS COMMISSIONER FOR ENVIRONMENT IN CASE OF ASSAULT ON JOURNALIST.

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Press Release For immediate release, February 4, 2021 Following our earlier press release today on the case of assault meted to journalist Benjamin Anaja, by some operatives of the Kick Against Indiscipline, we are pleased with the report that the Lagos State Commissioner for Environmennt and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello, has stepped into the matter. IPC particularly appreciates the apology tendered to the concerned journalist by the Lagos State Government while we welcome the pledgde by the Hon. Commissioner to thoroughly investigate the incident. Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade said: “The position of Hon. Bello as contained in the press release issued on his behalf by Mr. Kunle Adeshina, Director (Public Affairs) MOE&WR, that there would be thorough investigation, tallies with our demand that justice must be done in this matter and we are okay with it”. Mr. Arogundade called on the Lagos State Government to also organise a special orientation for its law enforcement agents on mutualy beneficial engagement with journalists anytime their paths cross on the line of duty. SGD: Melody LawalProgram Officer/ Safety Alert Officer IPC melodyakinjiyan@ipcng.org +2348132776441

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IPC CONDEMNS ATTACK ON JOURNALIST BY LAGESC

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Press Release For immediate release, February 4, 2021 The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria, condemns the attack on Benjamin Anaja, a journalist with The Guild Press Limited, on Wednesday, February 3, 2021, for allegedly recording and taking pictures during an enforcement operation by the officials of Lagos Environment Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) at Meiran bus stop along the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway. A video recording by the victim reveals that despite showing his identity card during the act, over nine aggrieved enforcement officials reportedly went ahead to brutalize him and held him in their blackmaria for allegedly violating their law. According to Anaja, he was at the bus stop capturing the dilapidated state of Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, from Abule-Egba to Sango tollgate, interviewing commuters and traders on how the bad road had continued to affect their businesses and other activities when the LAGESC officials stormed the axis to enforce the state’s sanitation law, a situation that caused pandemonium. He noted that he witnessed some hoodlums who attempted to attack the officials and was capturing it when suddenly, the officials turned on him, kicking, and dragging him for recording the scene. When he attempted to show his identity card, it was destroyed, and he was hauled into their ‘black maria’ vehicle. IPC condemns the unwarranted attack on the journalist in the course of carrying out his legitimate duty. It is particularly worrisome that he was so treated despite identifying himself as a journalist. IPC hereby calls on the Commissioner for Environment to intervene and probe the incident so that the alleged culprits could be brought to justice. SGD:Melody LawalProgram Officer/ Safety Alert Officer IPC melodyakinjiyan@ipcng.org +2348132776441

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IPC DECRIES THREATS ON JOURNALIST IBANGA ISINE’S LIFE

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Press Release For immediate release, February 1, 2021 The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos- Nigeria is greatly concerned about reported threats on the life of Investigative Journalist and Editor of the Next Edition, Mr. Ibanga Isine. Mr. Isine himself confirmed the worrisome development to the Safety Alert Desk of IPC, saying that was forced to abandon his home after the death threats became intolerable. He believes his ordeal is directly connected with the reports on massacres in the south of Kaduna State-Nigeria by his investigative online news medium. “I have been investigating the Southern Kaduna killings for months now, and I have just recently published the last part in a four-part series on the bloody attacks in the zone. In the course of the investigation, two of my sources have been attacked, one was killed along with his son three months after he said he was afraid for his life. Another source escaped being killed and his neighbours paid dearly when the killers didn’t find him”, he alleged. He also cited as evidence of the threat the fact that there has been unusual activities on his phone including sudden light up at night without being touched and inability to disconnect, switch off or restart the phone several minutes after calls. IPC is deeply worried about the situation of Journalist Isine and hereby calls on the Nigerian government and the security agencies to ensure that he is not harmed in any way. IPC enjoins anyone who may be aggrieved over the reports by the journalist to seek redress through legal channels instead of attempting to resort to extra-judicial self-help.IPC therefore appeals to other national, regional and international media freedom groups, freedom of expression organisations and human rights bodies to join in the clamour for his safety. IPC believes the time has come to stop attacks of journalists in Nigeria so that the country would stop being counted among dangerous zones for journalists to practice.SGD:Melody LawalProgram Officer/ Safety Alert Officer IPCmelodyakinjiyan@ipcng.org+2348132776441

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Alleged attack on BBC Journalists: IPC calls for thorough investigation

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Press Release For immediate release, December 13, 2020 The International Press Centre, IPC, Lagos-Nigeria is concerned about the alleged unprovoked physical assault on identified BBC Journalists; Chioma Obianinwa and Nnamdi Agbanelo in south-eastern Enugu State, last Wednesday evening by a Catholic Priest, Father Ejike Mbaka, and some members of his ministry. Media reports including that of BBC News (Pidgin) of December 10, 2020 stated that the BBC crew had scheduled an interview with Father Mbaka, but that while waiting outside of the Father’s premises in their vehicle to be called in for the interview, a group of 20 men surrounded them. They were said to have been issued with death threats for writing “negative reports about Mbaka” while they were reportedly physically and verbally brutalized by the men and Fr. Mbaka.  It was further reported that they narrowly escaped after being chased out of the premises by the men who also closely trailed them till they left the State. Although spokesperson for Fr. Mbaka’s Adoration Ministry, Mr. Maximus Ugwuoke, said the entire Adoration family was not aware of the presence of the BBC team on the Adoration ground with the mission to interview Mbaka, IPC Executive Director Mr. Lanre Arogundade in a statement, stated that the allegation is deserving of thorough investigation by the Police. “Journalists in Nigeria have become highly endangered species and it is important get to the root of this matter so that the alleged perpetrators can be made to face the law and serve as a deterrent to others”, Mr. Arogundade stated. According to him, it should be noted that assault constitutes a grave offence under the Nigerian Law and is punishable by virtue of the provisions of the criminal code act. He added that any assault on Journalists who ensure that important information is accessible to citizens is an attack on their human, journalistic and democratic rights and should always be condemned. IPC therefore enjoins the Enugu State Commissioner of Police to take swift measures to investigate in detail the reported attacks and ensure that justice is administered. SGD Olutoyin Ayoade Communications Officer IPC, Lagos-Nigeria Email: tayoade@ipcng.org International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos, Nigeria IPC is Nigeria’s foremost media capacity development organization. www.ipcng.org l www.twitter.com/IPCng l www.facebook.com/ipc.nigeria lwww.youtube.com/ipcng l Google+ : Ipc Ng

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LAGOS BYE-ELECTION: IPC TASKS JOURNALISTS ON PROFESSIONAL, SAFETY CONSCIOUS COVERAGE

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Press Release For immediate release, December 3, 2020 As bye-elections holds in Lagos East Senatorial and Kosofe Constituency II House of Assembly, on Saturday, the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos- Nigeria has tasked the journalists and other media professionals who would be on duty to adhere to professional standards while also being safety conscious. The bye elections are scheduled to hold across the five local council Areas of Somolu, Kosofe, Ikorodu, Epe and Ibeju-Lekki. The Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade said the admonition had become necessary in the light of the critical role that the media plays during electioneering processes and  growing concerns over journalists’ safety across the country.  “Though this election is not a state-wide election, it does not reduce the fact that it still falls under the purview of media electoral responsibility. For the contestants and their gladiators, it is an election, which is by no means of less value than any other election, so the atmosphere within the five councils where the elections will take place will reflect basic and essential activities associated with the conduct of an election. It is therefore very important for journalists covering the bye-elections to be guided by the existing ethics of professional coverage of 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”, Mr. Arogundade said. “Like in the coverage of any electoral contest, Journalists are expected to be non-partisan. They are to maintain objectivity and balance in the coverage of the elections. Being partisan is not only about being a member of a political party, but also includes the use of expressions and/or impressions with statements,  tags, symbols and colours that portray or identify with a particular political party or personality”, Arogundade added. He also admonished journalists covering the bye-election to be well kitted. “This is an election taking place across five councils. Journalists who are to cover the elections should ensure that they are fully kitted and accredited to do so, in order to avoid situation wherein security agencies would have to question them or bar them from performing their duties. Journalists, who are not on election duty, should avoid straying into the identified local councils at will during the stipulated period of the election. At all times, journalists covering the bye –elections must have their identification card and press/media tag clearly displayed to avoid undue harassment and unnecessary identity checks by the security agencies.” Arogundade added. He also enjoined, other stakeholders, especially the security agencies to undertake the performance of their tasks in a civil and responsible manner. “The security forces should note that the media is a critical part of the electoral process and so the journalists should be accorded due rights and privileges to enable them carry out their social obligations as partners in enshrining the credibility of the electoral process. The media should be seen as partners in progress and not as adversaries”, Arogundade added. SGD: Melody Lawal Program Officer/ Safety Alert Officer IPC melodyakinjiyan@ipcng.org +2348132776441

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