Nigeria is unsafe to practice journalism - ACJ OAU
Adeniji Mayowa
The Association of Campus Journalist, Obafemi Awolowo University chapter (ACJOAU), has reacted to the Nigerian 59th independence day celebrations which held yesterday to commemorate the country's freedom from the British colonial rule.
In a press statement that was released by the body and signed by the central executives yesterday, the body expressed that Nigeria, although being an independent and democratic country guided by a constitution, it has failed to protect the members of the press. The body further noted that in disregard to the constitutional provisions of freedom of speech, freedom of association and freedom of movement as well as intolerance to criticism, the fundamental human rights of journalist are being infringed.
The paper reads, "the clamping down of press freedom and freedom of expression has now become the order of the day in Nigeria. For instance, there has also been raging question on social media about the sudden and prolonged disappearance of Dadiyata, Kefason, Jalingo and Abiri. The recent unlawful and unconstitutional detention of the publisher of Sahara reporters, Omoyele Sowore has opened the eyes of Nigerians to the victimization of the fundamental human right in the world."
"As all these events unfold, the future and security of the Journalism Profession in unsure. Those who uphold the tenets of the Profession are severely victimized and threatened, if this trend is continually permitted - the future and essence of this profession would then begins to be crippled, which will in turn make the country seem like a play ground as there won't be an avenue for accountability and periodic check-mating."
While concluding that the possibility of having democracy without press freedom is not workable, the body condemned the continuous infringement of press freedom in the country and held that going by the foregoing, the independence day is not worth cerebrating.
The Association of Campus Journalist, Obafemi Awolowo University chapter (ACJOAU), has reacted to the Nigerian 59th independence day celebrations which held yesterday to commemorate the country's freedom from the British colonial rule.
In a press statement that was released by the body and signed by the central executives yesterday, the body expressed that Nigeria, although being an independent and democratic country guided by a constitution, it has failed to protect the members of the press. The body further noted that in disregard to the constitutional provisions of freedom of speech, freedom of association and freedom of movement as well as intolerance to criticism, the fundamental human rights of journalist are being infringed.
The paper reads, "the clamping down of press freedom and freedom of expression has now become the order of the day in Nigeria. For instance, there has also been raging question on social media about the sudden and prolonged disappearance of Dadiyata, Kefason, Jalingo and Abiri. The recent unlawful and unconstitutional detention of the publisher of Sahara reporters, Omoyele Sowore has opened the eyes of Nigerians to the victimization of the fundamental human right in the world."
"As all these events unfold, the future and security of the Journalism Profession in unsure. Those who uphold the tenets of the Profession are severely victimized and threatened, if this trend is continually permitted - the future and essence of this profession would then begins to be crippled, which will in turn make the country seem like a play ground as there won't be an avenue for accountability and periodic check-mating."
While concluding that the possibility of having democracy without press freedom is not workable, the body condemned the continuous infringement of press freedom in the country and held that going by the foregoing, the independence day is not worth cerebrating.
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