By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
The attack on journalists and burning of media houses by hoodlums last Tuesday during the peaceful EndSARS protest has been described as uncivilised, reprehensible and callous act against media workers.
Lagos-based non-governmental organisation, the Media Rights Agenda (MRA), made the condemnation on Friday.
The group, while condemning the attacks in Lagos by state and non-state actors in the wake of the #EndSARS protests, described it as reprehensible acts of intimidation and reprisals against media workers and organizations engaged in the lawful pursuit of their professional functions.
In a statement by its Programme Director, Mr. Ayode Longe, MRA stressed, “the failure of the government and its law enforcement agencies to protect media houses, journalists and other media workers in the face of these threats, wanton acts of harassment and intimidation, arson, physical violence and other violation of media rights is a shameful abdication by the government of its legal and constitutional responsibility to protect them as well as a breach of its obligations under international human rights Law”.
According to Longe, “The media serve a critically important function in society, particularly in times of crisis and emergencies, as it is imperative that citizens, other members of the public and communities are adequately informed about the prevailing situation, including any threat to their lives or wellbeing. Such acts of intimidation and violence against the media and journalists, as we have witnessed in recent days, undermine their ability to perform their functions and violate the public’s right of access to information.”
He cited recent incidents of attacks against the media, including the October 20 brutalization of two journalists with The Punch newspaper, Mr. Femi Dawodu and Mr. Segun Odunayo, by over 20 policemen while they were covering the #EndSARS protests in the Alausa area of Lagos.
The journalists were recording protest activities in the area when the policemen accosted them and ordered them to stop recording. Upon identifying themselves as journalists, the policemen furiously attacked and subsequently took them to the Alausa Police Station where they were further brutalized and asked to change the narrative of their recording. Before they were released, they were warned that the police will come after them if any negative reports about the police were published.
Longe recalled another instance on the next day, on October 21, when the offices of Television Continental (TVC) in Lagos were attacked allegedly by hoodlums taking advantage of the #EndSARS protests. The mob invaded the offices, destroyed property and burnt vehicles parked in the premises as well as the building housing the television station.
In yet another instance, Longe cited the offices of The Nation newspaper, also in Lagos, which were attacked and burnt down by suspected hoodlums who took advantage of the protests and were able to carry out their nefarious activities unimpeded despite the imposition of a 24-hour curfew all over Lagos State two days earlier by the Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu, which remained in force.
MRA programme director stressed that there can be no justification for attacking journalists and media houses as such actions are likely to result in self-censorship as journalists and other media workers become fearful that they are being watched and would be attacked by any party to a conflict or any interest group that is displeased with their reporting.
He noted that impunity for such attacks against journalists and media houses would only embolden the perpetrators and encourage future attacks.
He called on the Government to ensure accountability for these acts of violence against the media and other violations of their rights by promptly conducting thorough, independent and transparent investigations into all the cases and bringing the perpetrators, including those who ordered, supported or covered up any of these activities, to justice.
Longer further urged the Government and law enforcement agencies to live up to their responsibilities of ensuring the safety of journalists and other media workers by taking urgent steps and putting in place mechanisms to protect media organizations, journalists and other media workers across the country.
Meanwhile, the Management of The Nation Newspaper has openly expressed shock over the burning of the media house, saying the management and staff of the company are at loss and continue to ponder why the company was a target of such unwarranted attack.
In a statement tagged, “The Nation under attack” released by its Editor, Adeniyi Adesina, narrated how armed men on motorcycles invaded the headquarters of ‘The Nation’ on Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos on Wednesday afternoon.
“In a commando-like manner, they kicked their way into the premises after scaring away security men on duty, brandishing their sophisticated guns.
“They poured petrol on the frontage of the building and set fire to it. Some of the vehicles parked within the premises were set ablaze, others vandalized.
“Many boys came thereafter and swooped on the office, looting everything they could lay their hands on.
According to Adesina, the items looted by the hoodlums include desktop computers, laptops, air conditioners and other office equipment.
He disclosed that at the time of the attack, the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief Mr. Victor Ifijeh, was among those trapped within the office while the fire raged on.
They were however evacuated when men of Operation Mesa security outfit arrived, and
their arrival ended the free rein of the invaders.
“It was obviously a targeted attack on the free press. The Nation had been listed on Twitter and other social media platforms by sympathisers of the ongoing destructive activities, as a target of attack.
“The Nation has robustly reported the protests fairly, giving voice to the agitation of youths for a better Nigeria.
The management is at a loss as to why the company should be a target of such unwarranted attack.” the statement concluded.
