SERAP seeks African Commission intervention over attacks against journalists and the media
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has petitioned Ms Pansy Tlakula, Commissioner and Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa over the “increasing level of attacks against journalists and media houses in the country.”In the petition dated 16 April 2013, and signed by SERAP Executive Director Adetokunbo Mumuni, the organization said that, “We ask the Honourable Commissioner to urgently intervene to stop the Nigerian government from further intimidation and harassment of journalists and media houses and to prevail on the government to respect internationally recognized right to freedom of expression and press freedom in the country.”
The organization also said that, “the attack against journalists and the media by the government is coming at a time the government’s effort to fight corruption is waning; and when the government continues to perform poorly in the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index. The government’s anti-corruption agenda cannot work effectively without the important contribution of the media. Without press freedom, it is much easier for the government to take away other human rights and to perpetrate official and large scale corruption.”
The organization also expressed concern that “the recent arrests of Leadership newspapers journalists, and the harassment of some radio stations for simply allowing and airing critical views against the government illustrates the government increasing intolerance of critical views, and its policy of attack against the media, and reminds the citizens of the tactics used during the dark days of military dictatorship in Nigeria.”
“SERAP is seriously concerned that the action by the Nigerian government contravenes the country’s international legal obligations, including under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party, and also directly violates Section 22 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended), which requires the Press to hold the government accountable to the people.” the organization said.
Group News Editor Leadership Newspaper,Tony Amokeodo with Political Correspondent Chibuzor Ukaibe after their arraignment at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Tuesday.
According to the organization, “the government’s action specifically undermines and limits the citizens’ right to freedom of opinion and expression; including the right to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”
SERAP also contends that the guarantee of freedom of expression applies with particular force to the media. Indeed, the right to freedom of expression and peoples’ right to seek and receive information cannot be meaningful unless the media plays its key role in a democratic society without political interference or influence.
“States are required not only to refrain from interfering with rights but also take positive steps to ensure that rights, including freedom of expression, are respected. In effect, governments are under an obligation to create an environment in which a diverse, independent media can flourish, thereby satisfying the public’s right to know,” the organization also added.
SERAP therefore requested the Commissioner to:
Publicly condemn and express concerns about the increasing level of attacks against journalists and media houses
Urge the Nigerian government to end all intimidation and harassment of journalists and allow the media to function without any restrictions whatsoever
Urge the Nigerian government to fully comply with its international legal obligations including under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights
Propose and facilitate the adoption of a resolution on the issue by the African Commission at its ongoing 53rd Ordinary Session in Banjul, The Gambia