President Bola Tinubu showered praises on the media as vanguard of democracy that fought military dictatorship.
In his Wednesday Democracy Day broadcast, President Tinubu lauded the indomitable spirit of Nigerian journalists who played a crucial role in the struggle against military dictatorship and the birth of democracy.
He highlighted how media establishments such as The Punch, Guardian, National Concord, Tribune, The News/Tempo, and TELL Magazines, and their courageous journalists, stood firm for free speech and civil liberties despite facing severe repression.
However, the media and journalists are currently facing persistent harassment and intimidation from police and other state apparatuses in Tinubu’s Government.
Journalists critical of the government have faced intimidation and detention, reminiscing the dark days of military rule in Nigeria.
Since Tinubu’s inauguration in May 2023, at least 13 Nigerian journalists have been arrested and detained by state actors.
Some notable arrests include Dayo Aiyetan, Executive Director and Founder of the International Centre for Investigative Reporting, and his reporter Nurudeen Akewushola, detained by police; Daniel Ojukwu, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism and Segun Olatunji, the editor of FirstNews.
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Other journalists persecuted include Kasarahchi Aniagolu, a journalist with The Whistler Newspaper; Achadu Gabriel, a reporter with Daybreak newspaper; Godwin Tsa, a journalist with the Sun Newspaper; and Precious Eze, of FirstNews Platform among others.
But in the broadcast, the President said “We could not have won the battle against military dictatorship without the irrepressible Nigerian journalists who mounted the barricades along with the pro-democracy activists.
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“We celebrate them today, along with their media establishments such as The Punch, Guardian, National Concord, Tribune, The News/Tempo, and TELL Magazines. Military authorities proscribed these media establishments and jailed their journalists for standing for free speech and civil liberties.”
The media, according to the President, exemplified the strength and power of the people in toppling oppressive regimes. “Despite the lethal might of the military government, what appeared to be high and unyielding walls of dictatorship came tumbling down.
“The dismal fortress no longer exists. The power of an idea, the power of the people proved more potent than all the guns and munitions, and the threats of the strongmen.”
However, it was observed that despite singing praises on the media by President Tinubu, his administration is following the path of military era where journalists have been arrested, and press freedoms stifled.
For instance, at least 39 journalists were harassed for doing their work in 2023 alone, with many detained and subjected to traumatic experiences.
Yakubu Mohammed, Ex-WikkiTimes’ Editor was harassed for exposing terrorism financing, illegal mining in Niger state in September 2023.
Yakubu came under surveillance by officials of the Nigerian Police Force, and placed under their watch list. His wife, friend and colleagues were threatened and described as sub-targets.
WikkiTimes’ reporter, Yawale Adamu, has received threats from Mustapha Abdurrahman, a political aide to the lawmaker representing the Jama’are Itas federal constituency.
Analysts say the consistent attacks on the press and threats that journalists face shows that the current administration’s actions towards the media sector still pose a substantial test to the principles of democracy and freedom of expression.
