A new report from Nigeria’s International Press Centre (IPC) reveals alarming statistics on attacks against journalists nationwide, documenting 40 incidents between January and September 2024.
Released by IPC’s Safety and Protection of Journalists Hub (SPJ-Hub) on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, the report aims to highlight the heightened risks facing media professionals in Nigeria.
The incidents involved over 65 journalists and targeted two media organizations.
According to the report, Lagos, Kaduna, and Rivers were among the 16 states most affected by these attacks.
In terms of gender, 36 of the affected journalists were men, while five were women. Notably, a significant number of cases did not specify gender, indicating a potentially higher impact.
The attacks ranged from harassment, intimidation, and unlawful detention to physical assaults, with some cases involving gunshots and life threats.
Additionally, two media organizations were reportedly targeted.
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Security forces accounted for most of the violence, with 25 incidents attributed to them, while other perpetrators included unknown individuals, hoodlums, and bandits.
The report categorized the attacks by media sectors, recording 10 incidents in print media, 15 in broadcast media, and 23 in online media.
The nature of these incidents varied widely, from equipment confiscation and vandalism to more severe actions like abductions and physical assault.
IPC’s Press Freedom Officer, Melody Akinjiyan, condemned the persistent violence and impunity surrounding these incidents.
Akinjiyan highlighted IPC’s ongoing response, which has included statements demanding investigations and creating documentaries that amplify the voices of victims.
The IPC has also developed guidelines, including safety protocols for election reporting, accessible via the IPC Media & Elections app.
He said, “IPC is glad that arising from the efforts so far, media stakeholders are now working on institutional and legislative frameworks that will expand the frontiers of press freedom.
We consider this a welcome development and hope that the efforts yield fruits sooner than later.
“Under the SPJ-Hub, we shall also intensify our capacity building for journalists on safety in reporting especially in relation to investigative journalism, conflicts and elections.
The IPC called on the Nigerian government to uphold its constitutional duty to protect journalists, emphasizing the need for a free press to sustain democratic values.
IPC noted that recent initiatives from media stakeholders are promising steps toward greater press freedom, particularly in crafting legal protections for journalists.
Akinjiyan stressed that IPC will continue its efforts to improve journalists’ safety, especially in high-risk reporting areas like investigative journalism and election coverage.
