The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has demanded that the country’s security forces and the federal government put a stop to attacks on journalists.
On November 2nd, in observance of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, NUJ President Alhassan Yahya made the appeal in a statement.
While doing their jobs, journalists continue to be victims of cyberbullying, physical assaults, arbitrary arrests, and intimidation, according to Yahya. “Failure to prosecute those responsible for such attacks poses a serious threat to press freedom, undermines the rule of law and weakens democratic governance,” he said.
The union’s statement emphasised the importance of security agencies acknowledging the constitutional role of journalists and viewing the media as allies in the fight for accountability and democracy.
Additionally, it urged national and international agencies to work together to ensure the safety of journalists and those covering dangerous stories, particularly in locations where such risks are prevalent.
No journalist should ever have to fear for their life, liberty, or freedom just because they are covering the truth, and the NUJ has pledged to keep fighting for press freedom and protecting media professionals.