Avocats Sans Frontières France (Lawyers without Borders France) is concerned about the recent attacks on journalists in Nigeria as a result of the work that they do. Freedom of the press is the foundation of democracy and justice. It gives citizens the facts they need to shape opinions and speak truth to power.
Governments all over the world remain accountable to the people, and the media must not be compromised, intimidated, or oppressed in their service as the watchdogs in ensuring this accountability in the best interest of society.
In Nigeria, Journalists continue to suffer from acts of intimidation and violence as a result of the work that they do. Just recently, Mr. Michael Iladiagu, a journalist in Enugu State was arrested and detained as a result of his work.
Also, Mr. Nonso Nkwa, a journalist in Imo State has been arrested, detained for over five days, and denied access to his family, and lawyer. Regardless of the recent release of Mr. Iladiagu, the treatment of these journalists sets a wrong precedence of oppression and intimidation of the press, and can create a chilling effect that may potentially discourage journalists from effectively carrying out their duties without fear or favor.
Avocats Sans Frontieres France maintains that the media must remain the conscience of the people, therefore government must isolate the media from the control, dictation, and oppression of the state at all levels. Speaking to members of the media at the ASF France Nigeria HQ, the country director of ASF France in Nigeria, Mrs. Angela Uwandu Uzoma-Iwuchukwu said “The media must remain an independent and incorruptible tool that would continue to bring the real picture of our democracy and society to the people, thus, any efforts to influence or intimidate media practitioners is not tolerable and must be put to stop. We urge the governments at all levels of the country to refrain from intimidating journalists in the course of their duty and to step up efforts to ensure the protection of journalists in Nigeria”.
Over the years, there have been efforts to suppress media and the civic space in Nigeria. According to UNESCO and the Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF), Nigeria ranks 129th out of 180 countries on the Global Press Freedom Index. This comes as no surprise as 63 journalists and three media houses experienced various attacks in 2022. This narrative emphasizes the disturbing state of press freedom in Nigeria and the dire need for a paradigm shift to ensure their protection. All stakeholders, state and non-state actors, and institutions must continue to work collaboratively to improve the rights to press freedom in Nigeria.
ASF France is currently implementing the Enhancing Digital Rights in Nigeria (e-RIGHTS) Project which seeks to improve the enjoyment of digital rights in Nigeria, especially with respect to rights to freedom of expression, digital privacy, digital access and inclusion, freedom of information and press freedom.
