Editors raise concerns over harassment, intimidation, prosecution of journalists

THE Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, has raised concerns over the increasing harassment, intimidation and prosecution of journalists by security agencies, warning that such actions could undermine press freedom and legitimate journalistic practice.

The Guild also called on the federal government and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure a level playing field for all political parties and candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a communiqué signed by Eze Anaba and Onuoha Ukeh, President and General Secretary respectively, issued at the end of its Standing Committee meeting in Kano, the Guild said it was particularly concerned about the use of cybercrime legislation and other laws in ways that could restrict legitimate journalism, stressing that freedom of the press remained a fundamental pillar of democracy and good governance.

It urged governments at all levels and members of the public to respect press freedom and engage constructively with the media rather than resorting to threats, intimidation or violence against journalists and media organisations.

According to the Guild, aggrieved individuals and organisations should channel complaints through the Media Ombudsman established jointly by the Newspapers Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, NPAN, NGE; Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ; and Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, GOCOP.

“Governments at all levels and members of the public should uphold and respect freedom of the press as a fundamental pillar of democracy and good governance. 

‘’It calls for constructive engagement with the media and urges aggrieved parties to channel complaints through the Media Ombudsman established jointly by the Newspapers Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, NPAN; Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE; Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ; and Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, GOCOP, rather than resorting to threats, intimidation or violence against journalists and media organisations.”

On the 2027 elections, the editors called on the federal and state governments to provide an enabling environment for all political parties and their candidates to campaign freely and fairly.

It specifically urged authorities to allow the lawful outdoor display of party symbols and the airing of campaign slogans, while calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and other agencies involved in preparations for the elections to ensure that all parties, including the ruling and opposition parties, were treated fairly and without discrimination.

The Guild said a level playing field was essential to building public confidence, trust and electoral integrity, while charging politicians and political parties to focus their campaigns on issues, shun inflammatory rhetoric and strictly adhere to the rules governing political campaigns as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and all other agencies involved in preparations for the 2027 general election should ensure a level playing field for all political parties, including the ruling and opposition parties, without bias or discrimination. This, it notes, is essential to building public confidence, trust and electoral integrity,’’ the Guild said.

It further urged the media to uphold the highest professional and ethical standards in reporting, with fairness, objectivity, accuracy and factuality guiding their coverage.

On the economy, the Guild called on the federal government to remain steadfast in implementing its reforms while ensuring that the welfare and well being of Nigerians remained at the centre of its policies and actions.

It expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of federal roads across the country, saying the situation had imposed enormous hardship on motorists, commuters and businesses.

The editors, therefore, urged the federal government to redouble its efforts towards the rehabilitation, reconstruction and construction of roads to facilitate the movement of people and goods and stimulate economic activities.

“We are concerned about the deteriorating condition of federal roads across the country, which has imposed enormous hardship on motorists, commuters and businesses. 

‘’The federal government should redouble its efforts towards the rehabilitation, reconstruction and construction of roads to facilitate the free movement of people and goods and stimulate economic activities,’’ the Guild said.

It commended Nigeria’s security agencies for the successes recorded in the fight against terrorism, banditry and other forms of criminality, but called for sustained and coordinated efforts to achieve lasting peace, security and national unity.

“We commend the na

tion’s security agencies for the successes recorded in the fight against terrorism, banditry and other forms of criminality. We call for sustained and coordinated efforts to achieve lasting peace, security and national unity,’’ the Guild stated.

The standing committee expressed appreciation to the Kano State governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, as well as the government and people of the state for providing an enabling environment for the meeting.

The Guild reaffirmed that good governance, the welfare of the people, peace, progress and respect for democratic values remained essential pillars of a stable and prosperous society.