GOCOP condemns attacks on Journalists, calls for protection of press freedom

The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has strongly condemned the recent attacks on journalists covering the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests, labeling the actions as undemocratic and repressive.

GOCOP emphasized the critical role of journalists in national development and democracy, urging security agencies in Nigeria to protect, not suppress, media workers.

GOCOP reported that over 30 journalists have been assaulted since the protests began on August 1, with media houses like Premium Times, Daily Independent, and Guardian among those affected.

The organization called on security agencies to ensure journalists’ safety during protests and elections and to hold accountable those responsible for violence and harassment.

Furthermore, GOCOP condemned the involvement of foreign entities in the protests, specifically the display of Russian flags, calling it a subversive act that threatens Nigeria’s sovereignty.

The body urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene and prevent further media suppression, warning that such actions tarnish Nigeria’s image and undermine democratic values.

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Citing growing harassment of journalists including the denial of their fundamental right to life in the course of discharging their duties, GOCOP appeals to Nigerian security agencies to ensure the safety of all journalists especially during protests, riots and elections.

GOCOP says the media has the capacity to support peace and reconciliation processes among political actors, between leaders and their followers and among the various ethnic nationalities in the country, hence should be allowed to play its constitutional role.

GOCOP acknowledges the right of citizens to protest but cautions that on no account should any protest go beyond the bounds of peace and turn violent thereby creating opportunity for looters and hoodlums to hijack what was intended to be a peaceful show of anger against bad governance.

While GOCOP condemns the violence that attended the protests in some parts of the country, it urges the security agencies to investigate, arrest and prosecute those found culpable in visiting mayhem and destruction on the nation and the citizenry.

It calls on the Federal Government to ensure the diligent prosecution of those involved in such act that impugns the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Nigeria.

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GOCOP appeals to President Bola Tinubu who for most part of his life championed the cause of democracy and independence of the media to prevail on the Service Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police to stop forthwith any form of harassment, intimidation, attack and arrest of journalists legitimately discharging their constitutionally assigned duties.

Media suppression does not only project Nigeria in bad light, it portrays the Tinubu government as a dictatorship in a democracy.

GOCOP urges journalists to remain steadfast in the discharge of their duties by operating within the ambit of professionalism, fairness and factuality.