Categories: AFRICA

Nigeria: NHRC Demands Respect for Journalists

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has reiterated the need to show maximum respect, cooperation and support to journalists in the course of their constitutional responsibility of holding the government accountable to the people and informing and educating the public.

This message was given by the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Tony Ojukwu as Nigeria on Tuesday joined the rest of the global community to commemorate the 2021 International Day to End Impunity for Crime Against Journalists (IDEICJ),

Ojukwu observed that journalism has remained the oxygen of democracy and that “even during the military era, journalists stood firm in defense of freedom despite intense harassment and intimidation by the then military authorities”.

According to the Chief Human Rights Officer in Nigeria, it is not surprising that this year’s observance focuses on “the key aspect of prosecutorial services”, to ensure that individuals, groups, institutions or government officials who violate the rights of journalists and media workers are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the relevant national, regional and international law.

He noted that the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres has said it all in his speech for this year’s celebration where he urged Member states and international community to “Stand in solidarity with journalists around the world today and every day, and to demonstrate the political will needed to investigate and prosecute crimes against journalists and media workers with the full force of the law.”

The Executive Secretary recalled that in Nigeria there have been some cases of unlawfully arrest and detention of journalists and enforced disappearance, adding that “the Commission has always risen up to defend the rights of such victims and we have always made remarkable impacts towards ensuring that journalists are not visited with impunity in the course of their job”.

Ojukwu urged journalists not to renege in their humanitarian duties of informing, educating and entertaining the public, pointing out that dissemination of crucial and scientific information about COVID-19 pandemic assisted humanity to reduce the scourge and morbidity rate.

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Follow us on:

AriseNews

Recent Posts

Tinubu Seeks Senate Approval For Oluyede As Chief Of Army Staff

President Tinubu has sought Senate confirmation of Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Army Staff, citing…

6 mins ago

Netanyahu Risks Arrest in UK as ICC Issues Warrant Against Him For War Crimes

Israeli PM Netanyahu faces potential arrest in the UK as Downing Street pledges to fulfill…

3 hours ago

Second Australian Teen Dies from Suspected Methanol Poisoning in Laos

A second Australian teenager has died of suspected methanol poisoning in Laos, bringing to six…

3 hours ago

Simon Ekpa Arrested, Denies Being IPOB Leader + Atiku Says Tinubu’s Loans Are Bone-Crushing – Trending With Ojy Okpe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFlFl1mPGC8 The arrest of self-proclaimed Prime minister of the Biafra Republic, Simon Ekpa who was…

3 hours ago

Gatwick Airport South Terminal Evacuated, Bomb Disposal Team Deployed Suspicious Item Found In Luggage

Gatwick Airport's South Terminal was evacuated after a suspected prohibited item was found, prompting bomb…

4 hours ago

Trump Considers Kevin Warsh for Treasury Secretary, Role Of Chairman Of Federal Reserve

Trump is considering Kevin Warsh for Treasury Secretary, with a future possibility of him becoming…

6 hours ago