NHRC boss says journalists deserve cooperation, not attacks

Mr Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for cooperation and support for journalists in performance of their constitutional duties.

Ojukwu made this call in Abuja on Tuesday in commemoration of the 2021 International Day to End Impunity for Crime Against Journalists (IDEICJ).

He 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.

“Journalism has remained the oxygen of democracy. They should not be attacked in any way.

“Even during the military era, journalists stood firm in defense of freedom despite intense harassment and intimidation by the then military.

“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.

“They should also be prosecuted in accordance with the relevant national, regional and international law,” he said.

He noted that the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres had said it all in his speech for this year’s celebration.

Guterres, he said, urged Member states and the 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”.

Ojukwu further said, “In Nigeria, there have been some cases of unlawful arrest and detention of journalists and enforced disappearance.

“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,” he said.

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Ojukwu, therefore, urged journalists not to renege in their humanitarian duties of informing, educating and entertaining the public.

He pointed out that dissemination of crucial and scientific information about COVID-19 pandemic by journalists assisted humanity to reduce the scourge and morbidity rate.

The National Daily reports that Nov 2 every year is the day which attention is drawn to the level of impunity for crimes against journalists.