PeakNews Online
As the world commemorates International Human Rights Day, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have called on Nigerian authorities to cease the use of repressive laws, such as the Cybercrimes Act and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) codes, to target journalists, critics, and media houses.
In a joint statement, both organizations expressed alarm over increasing violations of media freedom, including extrajudicial detentions, malicious prosecutions, and censorship. They highlighted that despite nearly 25 years of democratic rule, Nigeria continues to witness state-driven suppression of press freedom and widespread impunity for attacks on journalists.
According to the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), there were 110 verified press attacks in 2024, surpassing the total number recorded in 2023. The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) attributes over 70% of harassment against journalists to the Nigeria Police Force and politicians, particularly during elections and protests.
Documented cases include the arrest of ICIR journalists over alleged defamation, the harassment of reporters covering protests at Lekki toll gate, and the invasion of Radio Ndarason Internationale by armed police in Borno State. Other incidents include police assaults on journalists in Abuja and attacks on media vehicles in Kano.
SERAP and NGE emphasized that freedom of expression and media freedom are constitutionally guaranteed under Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution and international treaties like the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. They called for an end to the use of criminal defamation laws and Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) to intimidate media practitioners.
The groups urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to:
- Ensure the unconditional release of detained journalists and activists, including activist Dele Farotimi.
- Reform restrictive laws such as the Cybercrimes Act and Criminal Code Act to align with international standards.
- Strengthen the independence of regulatory bodies like the NBC to prevent undue interference in media operations.
- Investigate all attacks on journalists and bring perpetrators to justice.
They also called on state governors to drop charges against journalists, enforce the Freedom of Information Act, and ensure compensation for victims of human rights violations.
The statement concluded by urging the international community to hold Nigerian authorities accountable for human rights violations, emphasizing the need for a free and independent press to sustain democracy.
