MRA Urges Nigerian Government to Protect Journalists

The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has called on the Nigerian government to investigate ongoing attacks against journalists, marking the occasion of World Press Freedom Day. MRA's program officer, Ms. Ayomide Ewej, expressed deep concern over the state of media freedom in Nigeria, noting a troubling increase in violence and hostility towards journalists.

She referenced a pattern of intimidation, harassment, arbitrary arrests, and physical attacks against media practitioners. Despite a court ruling on February 16, 2024, which ordered the government to take measures to protect journalists, Ewej stated that a culture of impunity continues to embolden perpetrators.

The MRA's legal representative, Ms. Mojirayo Ogunlana, had previously filed a suit against the Attorney General of the Federation on October 26, 2021, seeking accountability for attacks on journalists. Ewej also highlighted the economic pressures facing the media sector, which compromise editorial independence and the quality of investigative journalism.

She urged the government to promote an enabling environment for independent journalism and fully implement the Freedom of Information Act of 2011.