@csrf
Mohammed Idris and Richard Mills

19.09.2024 Featured FG Repeats Press Freedom Claim While Actively Hunting Journalists With DSS, Police

Published 19th Sep, 2024

By Opeyemi Lawal

The federal government has claimed that the Nigerian press is one of the freest in the world, despite having a hand in the increasing attacks on journalists and accountability seekers in the country.

Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, said this after meeting Richard Mills, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, on Wednesday.

Idris told journalists that while Mills had raised some concerns about press freedom, the ambassador still acknowledged that Nigerian journalists were doing a commendable job.

The minister claimed that his ministry was working to ensure that Nigerians enjoy press freedom. This is despite the government’s repeated clampdown on dissenting voices.

READ ALSO: ‘Why Are You Wearing Our Colour?’ — Another Tactic Thieves Share Across States

“The ambassador (Mills) talked about some issues he believes we need to address to improve press freedom, and we have assured him of the steps we are taking. He recognises that we are doing a great job in ensuring that the Nigerian press is not just free, but also one of the freest in the world,” Idris stated.

“I know there are some challenges here and there, but we are working on those areas to ensure that everyone enjoys what is called press freedom, which is a crucial part of any viable democracy.”

Idris further claimed that his principal, President Bola Tinubu, is committed to prioritising press and media freedom in his administration.

However, FIJ found that this claim was in contrast to the reality journalists and opposition leaders have faced in the country since Tinubu became Nigeria’s president in May 2023.

FIJ has extensively documented how attacks and arrests of journalists are on the rise. In one such report, FIJ detailed how at least 56 journalists have been attacked, beaten, harassed, and detained by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in the past year.

In addition to the NPF, the Department of State Services (DSS) has also been a major instrument of journalist harassment.

Earlier on Thursday, FIJ published an alert about the DSS’ plan to arrest ‘Fisayo Soyombo, the founder and editor-in-chief of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), at any moment.

A security source who spoke with FIJ said that Soyombo would be arrested as soon as the state security service locates him.

READ ALSO: Lieutenant Disappeared With Wife, Son in August. Nigerian Navy Told Family to Keep Quiet

On Sunday, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) arrested Omoyele Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters, after he was placed on a watchlist by the DSS. He was arrested but soon released as supporters gathered at the airport to protest.

In August, the DSS also arrested Adejuwon Soyinka, the West Africa editor of Africa Confidential, as he landed in Lagos from the United Kingdom. They claimed he was placed on the watchlist by an unknown agency. The DSS released Soyinka hours later but kept his passport.

Another prominent case of the federal government’s oversight of press harassment is that of FIJ’s Daniel Ojukwu.

One reply on “FG Repeats Press Freedom Claim While Actively Hunting Journalists With DSS, Police”

Minor factual point. Adewujon isn’t West Africa editor of Africa Confidential, but he is a very good journalist and all strength to him and you, the FIJ.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Published 19th Sep, 2024

By Opeyemi Lawal

Advertisement

Our Stories

NCC Tells Press to ‘Ignore’ Its Starlink Sanction Statement

Michael Anugwa in the House of Representatives on September 30

After ‘Social Media Suspension’ Comment, NCoS Replaces DCP Who ‘Beat Inmates Like Goats’

National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)

Corps Members Voice Disappointment at N33,000 September Allowance

It is imPOSSIBLE by Jude Ilo

Jude Ilo’s ‘imPossible’ Book Set for Launch in Lagos, Abuja

VIDEO: ‘Rivers LG Chairman Retakes Council’ With Guns

Hannatu Musawa.

Are Ministerial Candidates Unqualified Without NYSC Certificate?

Muyi Aina

NPHCDA Paid Contractors N380m in a Day. It Did Not Disclose What for

Police officers

Lagos Police Collect N500 From Ojo Bikers Daily Like Birthright

Window to the Womb

Welsh Clinic Boss Gets 18-Month Suspension for Racially Abusing Nigerian Sonographer

Federal High Court Abuja

High Court Slashes #EndBadGovernance Protesters’ Bail to N5m

Advertisement