LAGOS, Nigeria — On World Press Freedom Day, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, and the Nigeria Guild of Editors, NGE, have issued a strong call to the Nigerian government to end the use of repressive laws against journalists, media critics, and outlets.
This appeal was made at an interactive session discussing the state of press freedom in Nigeria, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja.
The joint statement emailed to The Trent on Friday, May 3, 2024, by SERAP and NGE pointed directly at the administration of President Bola Tinubu, all 36 state governors, and the FCT minister, urging them to uphold press freedom, ensure access to information, and adhere to court judgments and the rule of law.
The organisations expressed deep concerns over the “escalating crackdown on the right to freedom of expression and media freedom and the flagrant disregard for the rule of law by authorities at all levels of government.”
Highlighting various forms of suppression, the statement noted, “The suppression of the press in recent times takes various forms ranging from extrajudicial to unlawful detentions, disappearances, malicious prosecutions and wrongful use of both legislation and law enforcement.”
The session underscored that Nigeria’s nearly 25 years of continuous democratic governance in the Fourth Republic have not significantly altered the landscape of media repression, which is “evidence of extensive state censorship of media and in some cases, the utter control of state-owned media houses.”
Moreover, SERAP and NGE voiced their concern about the obstacles to press freedom stemming from economic hardships, digital surveillance, online harassment, and potential internet shutdowns.
They emphasised, “Freedom of the press is one of the cornerstones of a democratic society. Journalism is not a crime; it is fundamental to a free society.”
The groups also called for a comprehensive review and amendment of various national legislations, including the Cybercrimes Act, the Official Secrets Act, and the Criminal Code Act, to ensure they align with international human rights standards.
They urged the federal government, particularly the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), to stop using its codes to clamp down on broadcast stations and to impose arbitrary fines.
The interactive session, attended by prominent figures like Gbenga Adefaye, Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, and Eze Anaba, President of NGE, also saw calls for the Nigerian government to adhere to the ECOWAS Court judgment directing the repeal of the repressive Cybercrimes Act.
