MRA Urges FG to Obey Court Judgment on Attacks Against Journalists -

Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has called on the Federal Government to urgently comply with a Federal High Court judgment directing it to investigate, prosecute, and punish perpetrators of attacks on journalists and other media practitioners in Nigeria.

The organisation said the Government’s failure to obey the judgment delivered on February 16, 2024, has continued to encourage impunity and embolden further attacks on journalists across the country.

In a statement issued on Sunday to commemorate World Press Freedom Day, MRA Programme Officer, Ayomide Eweje, described the state of media freedom in Nigeria as alarming, citing increasing hostility toward journalists, attacks on media organisations, and restrictions on independent reporting.
She said journalists covering governance, corruption, and public accountability issues have in recent times faced intimidation, harassment, arbitrary arrests, unlawful detention, and physical assaults allegedly carried out by security agencies and other state actors.

According to her, such actions violate the rights of journalists and also deny citizens access to vital information.
Ms Eweje recalled that Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a suit filed against the Attorney-General of the Federation by Abuja-based lawyer Mojirayo Ogunlana on behalf of MRA, granted eight reliefs and ordered the Government to take measures to prevent attacks on journalists and ensure victims have access to effective remedies.

She, however, lamented that despite the court ruling, perpetrators of attacks on journalists are rarely brought to justice, thereby weakening public confidence in the rule of law.
MRA also expressed concern over the alleged misuse of the Cybercrime Act and other laws to silence dissent and target journalists, bloggers, and media organisations under the guise of national security or public order.

The group further noted that economic pressures, declining revenues, and political or commercial interference are threatening editorial independence and reducing the ability of media houses to carry out investigative journalism.

MRA urged the Government to end harassment, intimidation, and unlawful detention of journalists, ensure transparent investigations into attacks on media professionals, and review laws inconsistent with constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression.
The organisation also called for full implementation of the Freedom of Information Act 2011 to improve access to public information and strengthen democratic governance.

It further appealed to security agencies, regulatory bodies, and political actors to respect the rights of journalists, particularly during elections and public-interest reporting.