The International Press Centre (IPC) has condemned the reported attacks on journalists and other media professionals covering the nationwide protests.
The protest, observed throughout the country on Thursday, aimed to demand an end to hardship-inducing economic policies.
In a statement issued to journalists in Jalingo on Thursday, IPC’s Press Freedom Officer, Melody Akinjiyan, reported that the Safety Alert Situation Room revealed that several journalists and media professionals faced various forms of attack, including physical assault, harassment, and denial of access to cover the protest.
“Some of the affected journalists were injured, arrested, or had their working tools destroyed,” the statement read.
Detailing the incidents as documented by IPC’s Safety of Journalists Alert Desk, the Lagos State reporter for News Central Television was reportedly interrupted and harassed by police officers and LCC officials who barred him and other journalists from interviewing anyone during a live broadcast.
Other journalists alleged to have been attacked during the protests include Ibrahim Isah of TVC News, Yakubu Mohammed of Premium Times, Jide Oyekunle, a photojournalist with Daily Independent, and Mary Adeboye of News Central Television, among others.
Describing the attacks as a troubling repeat of history, IPC affirmed that under no circumstances should journalists on legitimate duty be assaulted by law enforcement agencies or thugs.
“It is regrettable that these incidents occurred despite calls by IPC and other media groups to stakeholders and security agencies to ensure a safe environment for journalists covering the protests,” IPC said.
The statement added, “The rights of journalists to cover and report protests and other societal activities, as guaranteed by the 1999 Nigerian Constitution and various regulatory frameworks, have not been respected as expected.”
IPC called on all concerned security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police Force, to urgently investigate the attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice.
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