“Crimes against journalists in Nigeria often unresolved”

Media Rights Agenda, a Nigerian non-profit, has called on the federal government to ensure the safety of journalists across the country.

The group said this in a statement to mark this year’s International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists.

MRA was established in 1993 for the purpose of promoting and protecting the right to freedom of expression, media freedom, access to information as well as digital rights and freedoms.

The NGO primarily aims to promote respect and recognition for press freedom and freedom of expression in Nigeria, provide protection and support for journalists and writers engaged in the lawful pursuit of their professional duties as well as promote the highest standards of professional ethics, integrity, training and conduct in the journalism profession.

Attacks on Journalists

A new report from Nigeria’s International Press Centre (IPC) reveals alarming statistics on attacks against journalists nationwide, documenting 40 incidents between January and September 2024.

The attacks, according to the report released by IPC’s Safety and Protection of Journalists Hub (SPJ-Hub), range from harassment, intimidation, and unlawful detention to physical assaults, with some cases involving gunshots and life threats. The incidents involved over 65 journalists and targeted two media organizations.

The MRA urged the government to comply with the February 16, 2024 judgement of a Federal High Court in Abuja, directing it to take measures to prevent attacks on journalists and other media practitioners and to investigate, prosecute and punish perpetrators of attacks against journalists.

The statement by the MRA, which was signed by the head of its legal department, Obioma Okonkwo, described the federal government’s continued disobedience of the judgement, delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo as an affront to justice and the rule of law.

“The culture of impunity being nurtured by the Federal Government through its failure to comply with and enforce the court’s judgment is deeply concerning. Far too often, crimes committed against journalists remain unresolved, and the perpetrators go unpunished.

“This impunity not only emboldens those who seek to harm or silence journalists and the media, it also undermines public confidence in the rule of law and democratic governance,” the statement said.

It also called on the government to prioritize the protection of journalists through concrete measures and action, including strengthening legal protections by adopting and implementing laws that protect journalists from violence and harassment and by ensuring the swift prosecution of those responsible for crimes against media professionals.

The statement equally urged media organizations to take proactive measures to protect their staff and engender a supportive environment where journalists can perform their duties safely and without fear.

“As we commemorate this day, we honour the courage and resilience of journalists who risk their lives and liberty to bring us stories that matter. We must renew our collective commitment to ending violence and other forms of attacks against journalists and ensuring that every journalist in Nigeria can work freely and safely” it stressed.