20th July, 2017
Mr. Clem Aguiyi, the Chairman, African Free Press (AFP) has urged the Federal Government, and other stakeholders to support and promote freedom of press among media professionals in the country.
Clem made the call at a news conference as part of activities to unveil the maiden edition of the AFP Press Freedom Awards and dinner, scheduled to hold in September in Abuja.
He noted that journalists across Africa particularly, Nigeria had faced a lot of professional hazards and challenges in the course of reporting and informing the public of critical events.
The chairman said that there were cases where journalists were threatened, harassed, brutalized and unlawfully detained in the course of doing their jobs.
He also said that there were also cases of journalists who were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment, targeted for murder and often times murdered with impunity.
READ: I Didn’t Say I’ll Ban Nigerian Videos Production Overseas – Lai Mohammed
“This is a global trend. I am aware that in Nigeria the media does not have a job security.
“The number of journalists killed by assailants since 1992 is well over 30, while hundreds were reportedly assaulted and brutalized by both states and non-states actors,’’ he said.
On the awards, Clem said that they had been categorized into three, which includes Lifetime Achievement Award, Distinguished Service Award, Friend of the Media and Medal Award.
“The awards will be presented to reporters who faced threats, physical injury, who showed brilliance and political personality, who actively support freedom of the press.’’
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that AFP is a media organization committed to free speech, press freedom and protection of media rights in Africa and Nigeria in particular.
The press freedom award is to promote a free society, access to information and press freedom through the recognition of brave and courageous media professionals, who have risked their lives reporting.