Media
By Anthony Isibor
THE Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, GOCOP, has condemned in very strong terms, the serial attacks on journalists covering the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests, describing the act as undemocratic and repressive.
In a statement jointly signed on Friday by Maureen Chigbo, President, and Collins Edomaruse, General Secretary, the group, while acknowledging the right of citizens to protest also cautioned protesters against becoming violent, thereby creating opportunity for looters and hoodlums to hijack what was intended to be a peaceful show of anger against bad governance.
The statement became necessary with over 30 journalists already arrested, during the protest, which began on August 1, 2024, the group called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the Service Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police to stop forthwith any form of harassment, intimidation, attack and arrest of journalists legitimately discharging their constitutionally assigned duties.
However, the body of online publishers explained that journalists deserve to be protected and not suppressed because they are partners in national development as well as critical stakeholders in the advancement of democracy and civil liberties.
It therefore called on relevant authorities in Nigeria, especially security agencies, to see journalists as partners and voices of the voiceless rather than treat them as meddlesome interlopers and enemies of the people, and urged security agencies to investigate, arrest and prosecute those found culpable in visiting mayhem and destruction on the nation and the citizenry.”Citing growing harassment of journalists, including the denial of their fundamental right to life in the course of discharging their duties, GOCOP appeals to Nigerian security agencies to ensure the safety of all journalists, especially during protests, riots and elections.
“The media has the capacity to support peace and reconciliation processes among political actors, between leaders and their followers and among the various ethnic nationalities in the country, hence should be allowed to play its constitutional role.”Aggregating statistics from various media reports, GOCOP says more than 30 journalists had been attacked across the country during the protest which commenced on August 1.
“Media houses which have had their staffers attacked with their tools (phones and cameras either seized or destroyed) include Premium Times, Daily Independent, Punch, TVC News, Guardian, Pointer newspaper, among others.”GOCOP also strongly condemns the subversive actions of some disgruntled Nigerians in cahoots with foreigners, who during the protest sewed, distributed and flew Russian flags in some states and called for unconstitutional change of government.
“GOCOP sees such act as not only subversive, but a direct affront on the sovereignty of the nation.
“It calls on the Federal Government to ensure the diligent prosecution of those involved in such act that impugns the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Nigeria.”Media suppression does not only project Nigeria in bad light, it portrays the Tinubu government as a dictatorship in a democracy,” the statement said.
GOCOP also urges journalists to remain steadfast in the discharge of their duties by operating within “the ambit of professionalism, fairness and factuality”.
A.I
Aug. 10, 2024
Tags: GOCOP Maureen Chigbo
