By Gabriel Ameh
…Urges Government, Security Agencies to Uphold Press Freedom as World Marks 2025 International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists
By Media360Impact | November 2, 2024 | Abuja
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has called for urgent and decisive action to end all forms of attacks, harassment, and intimidation targeted at journalists across the country.
The call came as the world marks the 2025 International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, a day dedicated to promoting the safety and protection of media professionals and ensuring justice for those harmed while performing their duties.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, the Secretary of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Jide Oyekunle, condemned the persistent acts of violence and intimidation against journalists, describing such attacks as a grave assault on democracy, transparency, and freedom of expression.
“A society that silences its journalists silences the truth. We cannot build a transparent and accountable democracy when those who bring information to the public are constantly harassed, attacked, or unjustly detained,” the statement read.
Oyekunle expressed deep concern over the rising incidents of intimidation, unlawful arrests, and physical assaults on media practitioners, lamenting that most of these cases go unpunished, thereby emboldening perpetrators and undermining public trust in institutions of justice.
He therefore urged the Federal Government and relevant security agencies to show genuine commitment to ending impunity by thoroughly investigating both past and recent cases of attacks on journalists and ensuring that all perpetrators, regardless of status or influence, are brought to justice.
The Council also appealed to both state and non-state actors to respect the constitutional role of journalists and guarantee their freedom to report without fear, interference, or reprisal.
“Justice for journalists is justice for society. Every attack on a journalist is an attack on truth, accountability, and the people’s right to know,” the statement emphasized.
Reaffirming its commitment to defending press freedom and promoting the welfare of journalists, the NUJ FCT Council pledged to continue working with relevant partners to ensure that media professionals can perform their duties safely, responsibly, and without hindrance.
As the world marks this important day, the Council paid tribute to journalists who have been detained, attacked, or lost their lives in the pursuit of truth, urging the public never to forget their sacrifice and the critical role they play in sustaining democracy.
