The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has made a fervent appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make a firm commitment towards ensuring the safety of journalists in Nigeria and putting an end to impunity for crimes against them. This call also includes a demand for appropriate punishment for government officials and non-state actors who attack journalists, in accordance with the law.
Expressing grave concerns on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, MRA’s Executive Director, Mr. Edetaen Ojo lamented the recurring attacks on journalists in Nigeria, with at least 19 deaths over the years. He emphasized that no one has ever been held accountable or faced consequences for these attacks, which sends a message that attacking or killing journalists is acceptable in Nigeria.
MRA highlighted that it has been a decade since the United Nations General Assembly declared November 2 as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists. In the resolution adopted on December 18, 2013, the UN General Assembly urged all member states, including Nigeria, to prevent violence against journalists and media workers, conduct impartial investigations, hold perpetrators accountable, and ensure access to appropriate remedies for the victims.
MRA criticized the Nigerian government for its failure to fulfill these requirements over the past 10 years. Despite the continuous and unchecked attacks against journalists, including torture, extrajudicial killings, physical violence, arbitrary detention, intimidation, and harassment, among others, the government has not taken any discernible measures to address the issue.
Mr. Ojo pointed out that President Tinubu, as a media owner, should understand the crucial role that the media play in creating an informed and knowledgeable society. He emphasized that journalists often face risks of intimidation, harassment, and violence while carrying out their important work. Therefore, it is not a difficult case to argue that mechanisms should be in place to ensure their safety.
MRA expressed hope that President Tinubu, having better knowledge of these issues than his predecessors, will direct relevant officials and agencies in his administration to take necessary steps. They also urged him to collaborate with media professional bodies and civil society organizations to establish a national mechanism for journalist safety and put an end to impunity for crimes against them.
