The Cable
A coalition of media organisations has cautioned the federal government and security agencies against “harassing” journalists.
The coalition, in a statement issued on Wednesday, listed several instances in which journalists were “harassed” by government officials — including the recent quizzing of Fisayo Soyombo, founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ).
Soyombo, the pioneer editor of The Cable, was questioned at the force headquarters on Monday over a story published by FIJ about a police camp project approved in 2018 and scheduled to be completed in 14 weeks.
The coalition advised the government to see the media as partners rather than “adversaries”, adding that such actions targeting journalists are against democratic values.
“The Coalition for Whistleblower Protection and Press Freedom, CWPPF, condemns, in the strongest terms, the growing trend of attacks on journalists and media houses which have published investigative reports about corruption allegedly perpetrated by government officials. It is a dangerous trend that threatens the vibrancy of the country’s media and its democracy,” the statement reads.
“It is, indeed, shocking that the Nigeria Police, the institution called to account in the investigative report, and its leadership, would be more interested in defending an officer fingered in a corruption allegation instead of investigating the allegations against him.
“In arresting and claiming to be investigating a case of criminal defamation and cyber stalking against Soyombo, the Police wants to play the ignoble role of being a judge in its own case.
“It is equally shocking that the Government of President Muhammadu Buhari, which came to power ostensibly to rid the country of corruption, is condoning such abuse of state power and resources by those accused of corruption to victimise media practitioners who are performing their constitutional duty of upholding the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people.
