SERAP to Buhari: Publicly condemn attacks against journalists

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), a civil society organisation, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to openly condemn attacks against journalists and media organisations in the country.

The report, ‘A Downward Spiral: How Federal and State Authorities are Tightening the Screws on Media Freedom in Nigeria’, which was launched on Wednesday details cases of harassment, intimation, arbitrary arrests, detention and deaths of journalists, as well as attacks on media organizations.

In his address, Adetokunbo Mumuni, SERAP director, said the report provides a solution to the problem of attacks against journalists and the clampdown of press freedom.

“We are not only bench-marking in terms of where we are with regards to press freedom, but we are also proffering solutions in terms of a way forward,” said Mumuni, who was represented by Kolawole Oluwadare, his deputy.

In the report, the group urged Buhari to issue a public statement to government personnel and security forces, prohibiting them from attacking journalists and media workers.

“Issue a clear and public statement on all government and security force officials prohibiting any acts of intimidation, threats, harassment, and arbitrary arrests of journalists and media workers, and state that such incidents will be immediately investigated and appropriated disciplined or prosecuted,” the report read.

SERAP also called on the national assembly to “promptly and comprehensively review the Cybercrimes Act and other restrictive legislation, and revise them as necessary to bring them into line with Nigeria’s international obligations regarding the right to freedom of expression and the media”.

It also provided recommendations to the ministers of justice and information, the 36 state governors, the Nigerian Guild of Editors, the Nigerian Union of Journalists, the National Human Rights Commission, the United Nations, the African Union, and African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Right.

Speaking on a panel, Mumuni called on lawyers in the country to ensure that justice is served while handling cases, including those involving the illegal detention of journalists.

“Lawyers should do justice to their oath of office, not according to sentiment. Let us appoint judges based on knowledge of the law and integrity,” he said.

In attendance at the launch were representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Nigerian police, among other stakeholders.