Rights and Labour

Security Agencies Top List of Media Freedom Violators in 2024 – MRA Report

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By Bunmi Yekini

A new report by the Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has revealed that Nigeria’s security agencies are the leading perpetrators of violence against journalists, accounting for 65% of documented attacks in 2024. The 137-page report, titled “Media Freedom Under Threat: The State of Media Freedom and Journalists’ Safety in Nigeria 2024,” highlights an alarming increase in aggression towards journalists by law enforcement.

“Out of 69 attacks against journalists documented from January to October 2024, security agencies were responsible for 45 incidents,” said MRA Programme Officer, John Gbadamosi. “This represents a sharp rise from 2023, where security agencies were behind 34 out of 77 attacks, or 44%.”

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The report documents a wide range of violations, including 21 cases of assault, 17 cases of arbitrary arrests and detentions, eight threats to life, six abductions, and even the killing of one journalist. It also attributes attacks to other perpetrators such as government officials, thugs, and unknown assailants.

“It is ironic that the very institutions entrusted with protecting citizens have become the biggest threats to media practitioners,” Mr. Gbadamosi lamented. “The culture of impunity has emboldened these acts, leaving journalists vulnerable and democracy at risk.”

Despite the grim statistics, MRA noted two significant wins for press freedom in 2024. For the first time in years, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) refrained from imposing fines on broadcast stations, thanks to court rulings prohibiting such actions. Additionally, a court-ordered inquiry into the 2020 death of journalist Pelumi Onifade marked progress toward accountability.

Describing these developments as “encouraging,” Mr. Gbadamosi urged for systemic reforms to safeguard journalists. “Strengthening Nigeria’s legal framework and ensuring swift prosecution of perpetrators is crucial to ending the cycle of violence and impunity,” he said.

Without meaningful action, he warned, media freedom in Africa’s largest democracy will continue to deteriorate, undermining public trust and Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

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