66 Nigerian journalists, three media houses attacked in 2022 — Report

No fewer than 66 Nigerian journalists and three media houses suffered from various forms of attacks in 2022.

The Programme Officer of the International Press Centre, Mrs Melody Akinjiyan, made this known on Friday while presenting a report on attacks on journalists in 2022 at the World Press Freedom Day Media Roundtable and Stakeholders' Forum on Journalists' Safety and Protecting Freedom of Expression in the Age of Misinformation and Disinformation in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the event was organised by the IPC in partnership with the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Oyo State Council, and sponsored by the Open Society Foundation.

NAN also reports that the IPC Director, Mr Lanre Arogundade, launched the centre for safety and protection of journalists.

Akinjiyan said the 66 reported attacks on journalists recorded in the year 2022 was worrisome rise compared to the over 40 cases recorded in 2021.

She listed the types of attacks as: physical assault (24); abduction (7); gun attack (1); threats to life (2); threat to disclose source/intimidation (2); invasion (1); media shutdown (1) and robbery (1).

Others were denial of access to information (1), harassment (2), unlawful arrest and detention (21), hacking of account (1) and threat to sanction/payment of fine (2).

“Of the 66 journalists, 56 are males and 10 females. Among them are 13 print journalists, 26 broadcast, 24 online media practitioners and three others.

“Twenty-six of the journalists are from the South-West, 16 from North-Central, 10 from South-South, six from North-East, four from North-West and 10 from South-East.

“The states where the incident happened are Zamfara, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kwara, Gombe, Taraba, Adamawa, Bauchi, Lagos, Ondo, Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Enugu, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Cross River and FCT Abuja,” she said.

The programme officer said the various attacks, as reported, were allegedly carried out by security agencies, political thugs, armed robbers and militant groups like the Islamic State's of West Africa Province.

Akinjiyan, however, urged journalists to demonstrate greater sense of solidarity in dealing with attacks on media and abuses on rights of colleagues in the profession.

She explained that the figures compiled were the only reported of the several unreported cases, urging journalists to share information on attacks with the IPC.

Akinjiyan also urged journalists to always bring issues on journalists' attack, safety, freedom and welfare to the front burner.

Arogundade, while introducing the I-CSPJ, said the goal was to contribute to the future of rights by advocating and promoting the safety of journalists.

He said the establishment was also to create awareness on the imperative of protecting journalists, especially as they serve as frontline workers during crisis or emergency situations.

“The overarching framework for the establishment of I-CSPJ is the strategic objective of expanding the frontiers of press freedom in Nigeria and Africa, which journalists' safety is an integral part.

“The goal of I-CSPJ, therefore, is to contribute to that future of rights by advocating and promoting the safety of journalists.

“And creating awareness on the imperative of protecting journalists especially as they serve as frontline workers during crisis or emergency situations,” he said.

The IPC chairman said the theme of the 2023 WPFD was: “Shaping a future of rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights”.

Arogundade said the theme indicated that the right to freedom of expression, in which press freedom was embedded, was the harbinger of other human rights.

NAN reports that the roundtable discussion also generated a number of recommendations among which was the sponsoring of regulatory bill for the practice of journalism.

Among other issues discussed were insurance scheme, better emoluments and welfare packages for journalists, amongst others.

NAN reports that the event featured presentations from Prof. Tokunbo Adaja; Dean, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Joseph Ayo Babalola University; and Chief Ademola Babalola, the Oyo State NUJ Chairman.

Others were Mr Bolaji Adeniyi, Vice-President (West), Nigeria Guild of Editors, and Bolanle Ismail, a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication at Crescent University, Abeokuta.

NAN