Nigeria
For years, Nigeria has suffered from conflicts between the government and the terrorist group Boko Haram. This has resulted in gross violations of human rights, particularly against women and the LGBTI+ community. Freedom of expression is also severely suppressed because of the conflict situations. More than two million people have fled the country. Currently, Nigeria ranks 129 out of 180 countries on the RSF Press Freedom Index.
Apart from these conflicts, starting last year Nigeria has also been dealing with demonstrations against police unit SARS (Special Anti-Robbery Squad). Nigerians are demanding an end to the violence, corruption, extrajudicial killings and extortion carried out by this body. The Nigerian security troops responded to this by using excessive force against the protesters. Officers fired bullets and tear gas at protesters, deployed water cannons and beat and arrested protesters. This is contrary to the Nigerian Constitution and international standards. Journalists too became victims of this.
Media in times of conflict
Nigeria has a large number of media outlets. Of these, only a few produce professional and reliable material based on good journalism. However, in times of violent conflict, correct and accurate information is even more important than ever, because society is at its most vulnerable. Citizens desperately need the correct information during these periods. That’s why Free PRess Unlimited works hard to strengthen the independent media in Nigeria.
Safety of journalists
Journalists in Nigeria face intimidation, threats to their physical safety and are denied access to information. Those who become the target of this mistreatment are generally the journalists who expose abuses related to the interests of the military, politicians or other authorities. In addition, there is also a constant threat to journalists who write about sensitive matters. Journalists were also victims of the violence during the SARS demonstrations. They were beaten up and stripped of their film equipment.
Our work in Nigeria
With the help of the Dutch Embassy in Abuja, the project 'Media Narratives on Conflict and Humanitarian Crises in Nigeria' was started. Free Press Unlimited and its Nigerian partner Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ) are executing this project together. The aim of the project is to contribute to more professional, unbiased media that function as a catalyst for change in Nigerian society. With the support of Free Press Unlimited, PTCIJ developed the Press Attack Tracker: a tracker that documents and publishes violent incidents.
Photo: KC Nwakalor for USAID
