SERAP, NUJ drag FG to UN over crackdown on journalists

Following the arrest of Premium Times publisher and a Correspondent with the online newspaper by the Nigerian Police, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) have dragged the Nigerian government to the United Nations (UN).

The groups sent an urgent appeal to Mr. David Kaye, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, demanding that he immediately “intervene and prevail on the Federal Government, the Nigerian Army, police and several state governments to end growing clampdown, intimidation and harassment of journalists, online newspapers, and bloggers.”

Dapo Olorunyomi, the publisher of the online newspaper and its correspondent Evelyn Okakwu, were on Thursday instructed to report at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command Headquarters, but were later released.

However, following the arrest and several others made in the past by the present government since assuming office in 2015, SERAP and NUJ appealed to the UN to intervene in the persisting clampdown on journalists in Nigeria.

In a joint appeal endorsed by SERAP Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni and NUJ President, Abdulwaheed Odusile, they groups expressed concern about Nigerian government’s erosion of media freedom.

“We note that under international law criticism of public measures or comment on government action, however strongly worded, would be consistent with the fundamental right to freedom of expression, and media freedom.

Read also: Security operatives kill 11 IPOB members, injure many celebrating Trump

“We believe that the crackdown and the increasingly restrictive media atmosphere and impermissible restrictions to freedom of expression has damaged Nigeria’s democratic credentials and violated its international human rights obligations. The crackdown has also impeded the ability of journalists, online newspapers, bloggers and the media in general to hold government authorities to account or scrutinise their activities,” the statement read in part.

The groups therefore demand among other things, that the UN should call on the government to withdraw and repeal the obnoxious Cybercrime Act, and other laws providing for criminal defamation or criminalising, insulting public officials.

They also asked the UN to visit Nigeria to undertake fact-finding mission and investigate allegations of growing attacks, threats, intimidation and harassment of journalists, online newspapers and bloggers.

RipplesNigeria ….without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now