The Committee to Protect Journalists has urged Nigerian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into incidents involving the harassment and attacks on at least 28 journalists and media workers while covering state elections.
Reports and journalists who spoke with CPJ indicate that members of the press were obstructed, harassed, or attacked during the gubernatorial and state assembly elections across Nigeria on March 18 and 19.
Angela Quintal, CPJ’s Africa program coordinator, has called for the authorities to hold the perpetrators accountable and ensure the safety of journalists to report on political issues, which is fundamental to the democratic process.
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The incidents reported include the attack on a TV crew by unidentified men, harassment of a reporter with Pulse.ng and her camera operator, and the assault on a reporter with private broadcaster Breeze 99.9 FM by state security officers.
“Nigerian authorities should swiftly identify and hold accountable those responsible for the recent attacks, harassment, and intimidation of journalists covering state elections and ensure that members of the press feel safe to report on political issues,” said Angela Quintal, CPJ’s Africa program coordinator, in New York. “Freedom of the press during elections, which of course includes journalists’ safety to do their work, is fundamental to the democratic process”, she added.
