• Foundation advocates strengthened media as group urges defence of girls’ rights
As the 2023 World Press Freedom Day held yesterday, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) charged the incoming government to initiate deliberate and sustained policies to promote freedom of expression, media freedom and safety of journalists.
It noted conscious efforts in the past few years by some members of the National Assembly – working in collaboration with officials of the executive arm of government – to criminalise journalism practice in Nigeria.
The umbrella body of all the editors in the country, in a statement to mark the global event, themed “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a Driver for all Other Human Rights,” also promised to engage the incoming administration on the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Act and Broadcast Code of Conduct with a view to amending them to conform with global best practices.
In the statement signed by its President, Mustapha Isah and General Secretary, Dr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren, the guild said pluralistic mass media predicated on freedom of expression, freedom of information and free press is fundamental to any effective and functional democracy all over the world, stating that Nigeria can’t be an exception.
It said: “We share the popular notion that freedom of the media is indispensable for the protection of all other human rights. Instances abound where inhuman treatments, torture, corruption, misuse of power, impunity and nepotism were exposed because of reports by the media. Informing members of the public is often the first and essential step to begin remedying human rights violations and holding governments to account.
“Disturbing signs of repression, violations of media freedom and several cautious attempts to criminalise journalism practice have been observed in the past few years in our country. There have been different forms of control, censorship and pressure over the content of mass media in Nigeria, especially the broadcast stations, which have hindered their independence and pluralism.”
NGE added that the case of two Nigerian journalists – Gidado Shuaib and Alfred Olufemi, who were recently convicted by an inferior court in Kwara State, ought not to have been charged, let alone convicted, for publishing an investigative report about a factory.
The body advised the public to make use of the recently inaugurated nine-member board of National Media Complaints Commission (NMCC), otherwise known as the National Ombudsman, to report cases of media misconduct.
SIMILARLY, Nigerian National Committee of the Vienna-based International Press Institute (IPI) has charged the new government to be inaugurated on May 29 to create a better operating environment for journalists and media organisations.
In a statement by President, IPI Nigeria, Musikilu Mojeed, and Chair, IPI Nigeria Advocacy Committee, Tobi Soniyi, the group submitted that in the last couple of years, cases of media and journalists’ harassment have been rampant.
IPI Nigeria advised the incoming administration, to be led by Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, take deliberate steps to help the sustainability of media outlets while respecting press freedom and freedom of speech.
BESIDES, Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) has restated its resoluteness against acts that violate press freedom on the continent.
A statement issued by its Senior Programme Officer, Joy Gadani, deplored poor remuneration of journalists, government interference and outright suppression.
It observed that 2023, like others, has been a year of perpetual struggle for journalists, who are constantly in the frontline of news coverage and reportage.
The foundation, therefore, called on philanthropists, corporate organisations and media enthusiasts to join hands in supporting media development at all levels.
ALSO yesterday, Plan International Nigeria commended the media for strengthening democracy and upholding citizens’ rights.
Country Director, Charles Usie, in a statement, charged state and non-state stakeholders to invest more in media’s survival, even as he appealed to the industry to stand up in defence of girls’ rights in the country.
“Nigerian girls’ rights are still abridged; the right to live a life with enhancing opportunities is still limited by cultural and systemic factors. Nigeria still ranks as one of the countries with a high rate of girl-child marriage. Our education sector planning has remained largely gender unresponsive and the sexual and reproductive rights of girls have been unattended to and largely underfinanced. We call on the media in Nigeria to provide more support for the rights of girls, who form a large percentage of the Nigerian populace,” Usie added.
