In some instances, journalists receive minimal compensation that is hardly adequate to meet their daily needs, let alone provide sufficient safety and well-being.

This precarious financial situation has engendered a sense of insecurity among journalists, who are often seen as the backbone of a democratic society. Despite their critical role in ensuring accountability and disseminating information, many media professionals find themselves in an increasingly vulnerable position. The high expectations placed upon them to maintain professional standards and deliver quality content only exacerbate the pressures they face. The emotional toll is significant; journalists grapple with anxiety, stress, and the fear of inadequate resources, which significantly affects their mental health and job performance.

Government and Politicians: Allies or Adversaries?

The relationship between Nigerian journalists and the government is complex and often paradoxical. Journalists find themselves navigating a precarious balance where their role as watchdogs is sometimes met with support and other times with hostility, depending on their alignment with governmental narratives. When journalists choose to report favourably on government actions or initiatives, they are frequently regarded as partners in progress, celebrated for their contributions to national development and public discourse. This perceived alliance usually fosters an environment where media professionals feel encouraged and safe to operate within the bounds of the state’s objectives.

Conversely, when journalists adopt a critical stance toward government policies, the dynamics shift dramatically. In these instances, they may be labelled as adversaries, with their work dismissed as baseless or harmful to national interests. This bifurcated perception reveals a troubling reality: the government often opts for a media landscape that echoes its narratives, while viewing independent investigative reporting as a threat. Consequently, journalists who dare to challenge the status quo may face various forms of intimidation, ranging from censorship to outright violence, undermining their essential role in civil society.

This relationship highlights the need for a thorough examination of how press freedom is upheld in Nigeria. The expectation that journalists should act as instruments of the state, rather than as independent observers, raises critical questions about democratic accountability. The government’s preference for compliant and uncritical media serves to stifle dissent and limit transparency, ultimately harming the public’s right to information. The ongoing struggle for Nigerian journalists to reclaim their agency while maintaining their commitment to ethical reporting is indicative of the broader challenges faced by media professionals in environments where freedom of expression is under threat.

Media Control and Padded Reporting

The phenomenon of ‘padded media’ in Nigeria has emerged as a significant barrier to the effective practice of journalism in the country. This term refers to the situation where journalists find themselves systematically excluded from events and reliant on official press releases that dictate both the narrative and the scope of their reporting. Such a model significantly undermines journalistic integrity and, more broadly, the very foundation of democracy. When press releases dominate media coverage, journalists lose their function as independent watchdogs, which limits their ability to critically evaluate those in positions of power.

The implications of this situation are profound. Journalists are compelled to operate within a framework that limits their ability to uncover the truth. They are left with little enthusiasm for investigative journalism, as genuine opportunities for in-depth reporting become increasingly scarce. Instead of acting as informants to the public, many journalists are relegated to being mere transmitters of information, devoid of context or critical analysis. Consequently, the richness of news reporting is diminished, and the public remains ill-informed about essential societal issues.

Moreover, this control over the media landscape generates a culture of self-censorship among journalists who fear repercussions for deviating from the narratives approved by those in power. They are caught in a precarious situation where the potential consequences of dissenting from the mainstream narrative can impact their career stability. As the practice of padded reporting continues, the erosion of journalistic integrity poses a threat not only to individual reporters but also to the broader social contract that underpins democracy. Thus, it is crucial to address the factors leading to this control to restore the essential role of journalists in society, fostering an environment in which freedom of expression and investigative rigour is once again prioritized.

A Call to Action: Supporting Journalists in Distress

The landscape for journalists in Nigeria is increasingly perilous, with many facing threats, harassment, and even violence as they strive to maintain the integrity of their work. In light of these challenges, various stakeholders must step forward to support Nigerian journalists. The public, civil society organizations, and international bodies need to take decisive action to address these issues and improve the working conditions for media professionals across the country.

One fundamental area for improvement is advocacy for fair wages. Many journalists in Nigeria are underpaid and often work in precarious conditions without any job security. By actively supporting initiatives aimed at establishing a living wage, stakeholders can help ensure that journalists can sustain themselves and operate without the constant threat of financial instability. This requires collaboration between media institutions, government entities, and non-profit organizations dedicated to press freedom.

Safety measures must also be prioritized. Media professionals should be provided with essential protective measures, including training in risk assessment and crisis management. Civil society organizations can play an instrumental role in this regard by offering workshops and resources that equip journalists with the necessary skills to navigate hostile environments. Moreover, international bodies can exert pressure on the Nigerian government to uphold and enforce laws that protect journalists from threats and violence.

Greater independence from government pressures is equally crucial. Supporting initiatives that promote media pluralism and editorial independence can help create a more open and just media landscape. Journalists need to operate without the fear of censorship or retaliation, ensuring they can report freely and transparently about matters concerning the public. Unity among journalists, their supporters, and the broader civil society will be fundamental in advocating for change and achieving a more equitable media environment for all in Nigeria.

Mimiola, an award-winning journalist, sent this piece in from Ibadan.

The post Who Will Save Nigerian Journalists from Slavery? | By Olaoluwa Mimiola first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

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Nigerian Police authorities have released Daniel Ojukwu, the detained journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ).

Ojukwu, who went missing with his phone numbers switched off and whereabouts unknown to colleagues until it was found out he was detained by the police, regained his freedom on Friday.

“Daniel Ojukwu, the FIJ reporter who was abducted by men of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Inspector-General of Police, has regained freedom after 10 days in police captivity,” the FIJ wrote on its website about Ojukwu’s release.

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“Ojukwu went missing on Wednesday, May 1, his numbers switched off and his whereabouts unknown to colleagues, family and friends.”

He was detained for purportedly infringing upon the country’s Cybercrime Act, widely condemned as a means of censorship.

The journalist’s apprehension and subsequent relocation to Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, came after his coverage of suspected financial mismanagement totaling over N147 million ($104,600) implicating a senior government official, as reported by his employer.

A banner is displayed during a protest at the Force Headquarters in Abuja demanding the release of Daniel Ojukwu on May 9, 2024, Thursday. Credit: @BukkyShonibare

Following his arrest, friends, colleagues, and supporters rallied behind Ojukwu, demanding his release.

I On Thursday, a coalition of media and civil society groups staged a protest at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, condemning his prolonged detention.

Addressing journalists, spokesperson Bukky Shonibare expressed concern over the escalating attacks on press freedom and the stifling of dissenting voices.

She emphasised that after nine days in detention, during which Ojukwu was allegedly arrested on the orders of the inspector general of police, the authorities were obligated to either press charges or release him unconditionally.

Upon Ojokwu’s release, an elated Bukky expressed gratitude on her social media handle, thanking Nigerians for their unwavering support.

“Daniel Ojukwu is free. Thank you, Nigerians,” she shared. “Thank you, everyone.”

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Armed men threatened and harassed reporters, security forces barred journalists from entering electoral buildings, and demonstrators threw stones at reporters trying to cover the elections, according to news reports and journalists who spoke to CPJ.

The elections in these two states followed nationwide elections in February, which were also marred by violence against journalists, as CPJ reported at the time.

“Journalists play an indispensable role in the conduct of credible elections and should never be the subject of threats, violence, or harassment,” said Angela Quintal, CPJ’s Africa program coordinator, from Washington, D.C. “Nigerian authorities must investigate all allegations made by journalists about interference in their work covering the November 16 elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states.”

In Kogi state, Chinedu Asadu, a reporter with the privately owned The Cable online newspaper, told CPJ in a phone call that police officers seized his cell phone for 15 minutes when he attempted to take photos of a politician giving money to women waiting to cast their votes. After police returned his phone, Asadu said another officer made threatening comments, and he feared the officer would harm him, so he left the polling place.

Lolafunke Ogunlolu, a journalist with the privately owned Africa Independent Television broadcaster, told CPJ in a phone call that a group of armed men threatened to beat her after they saw her film them assaulting a woman at a polling station in Aiyetorogbede, Kogi state.

Ogunlolu said the men, whose identities she could not determine, demanded she delete all the pictures and videos she took of them. Ogunlolu said one man was about to hit her and take her phone when another stopped him after recognizing Ogunlolu as a reporter with the station.

Two journalists with the privately owned Splash FM radio station, Tobi Kusimo and David Bello, told CPJ in phone conversations that a group of demonstrators in Aiyetoro Gbede, a town in Kogi state, threw stones at their van when they tried to interview a polling officer. The journalists said they fled after demonstrators broke their rear windshield and otherwise damaged their vehicle, and appeared angry enough to kill them.

“If we had waited for two additional seconds, only God knows what would have happened,” Bello told CPJ.

In a separate case, Sam Egwu, a journalist with the privately owned newspaper The Nation, and Sunday Amachi, a reporter with the government-owned Kogi State Radio broadcaster, told CPJ via phone that a group of demonstrators in Anyigba, in Kogi state, surrounded their car while they drove to a polling place and threw stones at their vehicle.

“In fact, they destroyed our vehicle. It was a miracle we left that place unhurt,” said Egwu.

Egwu and Amachi told CPJ that protesters alleging election interference barricaded all exit routes and surrounded their car. Protesters climbed on their car in an attempt to force the journalists out, but the demonstrators dispersed after security forces fired their weapons, Egwu said.

In Bayelsa state, four unidentified individuals wielding canes and bottles intercepted Adejumor Kabir, a reporter with the Premium Times newspaper, while he was traveling to the main office of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission, he told CPJ via phone. The individuals forced his driver to leave, and drove Kabir to an isolated area in Opolo, in Yenagoa, the state capital, where they interrogated him for two hours, he told CPJ. Kabir said his abductors had mistaken him for a government official and, after questioning and accusing him of manipulating election results, they released him.

Kabir then traveled to the Independent National Electoral Commission office to cover the collation of the results, but police blocked him and other reporters from entering the building, even though they identified themselves as journalists, Kabir said. He said the officers told the journalists that they were working on orders from above not to admit members of the press.

CPJ’s calls and text messages to Oluwole Ozassi-Uzi, the Independent National Electoral Commission spokesperson, went unanswered. The head of voter education in Bayelsa State, Wilfred Ifogah, told journalists that security officials “misunderstood INEC instructions” when they bared reporters from entering the commission’s office, according to a report by Premium Times.

In a text message to CPJ, Nigerian police spokesperson Frank Mba said he was not aware of any assaults on journalists and said, “The safety and wellbeing of journalists and media practitioners generally was of paramount importance to the Nigeria Police Force.”

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“Baba Alpha’s year-long imprisonment and expulsion by the Nigerien government is an outrage of justice intended to silence a journalist for doing his job,” said Angela Quintal, CPJ’s Africa program coordinator. “Nigerien authorities should allow Baba Alpha to continue to work freely and live in safety with his family in Niger.”

The expulsion order, which was seen by CPJ, came from Mohamed Bazoum, Niger’s minister of interior. Alpha’s release and expulsion followed a March 12 Nigerien appeals court decision to suspend the second year of his two-year prison sentence, according to the journalist, his lawyer Amadou Boubacar, and media reports.

https://iso.keq.mybluehost.me/mozambique-journalist-abducted-assaulted/

“I am born in Niger, I was grown in Niger, I did my studies in Niger, I married a Nigerien, and both my children were born in Niger,” Alpha told CPJ from Labbezanga. His imprisonment and expulsion without identity documents were in reprisal for his critical reporting about the Nigerien government, he said. “I’m practically in detention in the middle [on the Niger and Malian border] and can’t go either way,” he said. Mali’s Gao region, where Labbezanga is located, is a particularly violent site of the years-long conflict between the government, rebels, and Islamic militants, news reports say.

Alpha was arrested on March 30, 2017, and was charged on April 3, 2017, with the use of false documents asserting his Nigerien nationality, according to CPJ research.

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The Vice Dean at Faculty of Biology, Keller made the appeal while delivering the 69th University of Ibadan Postgraduate School Interdisciplinary Research Discourse Tuesday evening in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

Speaking on the topic, “The Role of Higher Education in the “Post-Factual Era”: Implications of Scientific Understanding in Today’s Society”, the University Don averred that the role of scientific community cannot be overemphasise, thus all efforts must be put in place for the policy makers and other stakeholders in these countries to train journalists who are the carrier of the message to the wider audience.

Identifying lack of public service staff with scientific experience as one of the prime problems which has contributed to the wide gap that existed between applications of scientific results in implementation of policies developing nations, he described mass media as a “Powerful influence on forming public opinion.

“The policy makers should learn how media work and know their constraints, scientific information reduced to a form prone to distortion, need training programs for science journalists”.

He continued, “learn to communicate effectively, lay public, professional responsibility, explain scientific topics in a simple way, no jargon not condescending, everyday analogies to demonstrate complicated concepts, need training programs for scientists, fluent and effective communication of science”.

Keller further recommended promotion of science education at all levels by encouraging students to think and question acquired results critically and independently.

He said policy makers should “Promote science education at all levels, Encourage students to think about and question acquired results critically and independently, Promote scientific approach in evaluating data, Promote willingness to adapt to new knowledge, if evidence warrants, Provide venues and occasions for constructive discussions and feedback.

Also, speaking on how to integrate science in public policy in Nigeria especially, Keller stressed that policy makers should together set policy goals and regulations that are scientifically justifiable, socially and politically acceptable” and not just thories that cannot stand the test of the time.

Expressing concerns over the gap that existed between the science and the policy makers, the University Don, Keller tasked scientific advisors to communicate with public and policy makers by stating clearly assumptions, limitations, (un)certainties underlying scientific evidence

The event, had in attendance, principal officers of the institution among whom were its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Idowu Olayinka who was represented by DVC (ADM) Professor Emilolorun Ayelari.

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