25-07/2024 – The Centre for Journalism, Innovation and Development (CJID) commends the resolve of the House of Representatives to pass laws to protect the freedom of the press as well as conduct inquiries into recent cases of journalists detention, and engage in diplomatic efforts to pressure the government to respect press freedom.

According to a report by Premium Times and other news platforms, the House contended that protecting the rights of journalists is not only crucial for upholding democracy but also for safeguarding the principles of free speech and human rights. The House reached these resolutions at its sitting on Thursday, July 11, 2024, following a motion of urgent public importance moved during plenary by Hon. Clement Jimbo, a member of the House representing Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika federal constituency of Akwa Ibom state. 

The House further condemned incessant unlawful arrest and detention of journalists by law enforcement agencies especially using the cybercrime act 2024, noting that such a practice is not only against the principles of democracy but also undermines the fundamental human rights of the journalists.

The concerns expressed by the legislators further highlights the findings of CJID’s Press Attack Tracker (PAT), a civic technology tool that tracks, verifies and documents cases of press freedom violations in Africa.

Since the inception of the President Bola Tinubu led administration on the 29th of May, 2023, the PAT has documented 51 verified cases of press freedom violations in Nigeria, with 38 of the attacks perpetrated by state actors, especially security agencies, including men of the Nigerian police, The Nigerian army and The State Security Service also known as the Department of State Service (DSS).

The Chairman of the house committee on media, Hon. Akin Rotimi had promised that the House of Representatives would work with the media to review laws restricting press freedom in the country.

Akin Rotimi made the promise during the 2024 World Press Freedom day dialogue held by the CJID in partnership with Konrad Adaneur Stiftung (KAS) where he noted the critical role played by journalists in Nigeria. 

CJID views the resolutions of the house as an important development coming at a critical time in Nigeria’s democratic history. 

As the house has observed, the freedom of the press is an essential pillar without which there can be no functional democracy and as such, must be protected by all stakeholders.

We urge the legislators to take swift actions to implement their resolutions in order to promptly address and curtail the rising spate of attacks on the press in Nigeria. CJID reiterates its commitment to continue to provide technical support to the legislature in this regard. 

Signed 

Busola Ajibola

Deputy Director, Journalism Program, CJID