Amidst World Press Freedom Day, Nigeria's Information Minister defends Tinubu's administration, claiming no journalist faced incarceration. Recent incidents, like the detention of Segun Olatunji and Daniel Ojukwu's abduction, challenge this stance. SERAP and NGE call for press freedom, condemning government repression.
Amidst growing concerns over press freedom in Nigeria, Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, defended the Bola Tinubu administration, claiming no journalist has faced incarceration for practicing responsible journalism.
However, recent incidents, such as the detention of Segun Olatunji and Chika Victor Ibezim, challenge this assertion. Olatunji, an editor at FirstNews, was held for 14 days over an article allegedly insulting the Chief of Defence Intelligence.
Similarly, Ibezim, the brother of Reportera News' owner, remains detained for over eight months after his brother was sought for a publication linking former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, to a court judgment.
These events contradict Idris's statements, prompting skepticism about the government's commitment to press freedom. Additionally, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) condemned the government's use of repressive laws, such as the Cybercrimes Act, to target journalists. They called for upholding press freedom and respecting the rule of law.
Meanwhile, Nigerians are increasingly critical of the government's actions, especially following the recent abduction of FIJ reporter Daniel Ojukwu by the police.
This situation underscores concerns about the government's approach to media freedom and its implications for democracy and human rights in Nigeria.
