IPC Charges Journalists On Coverage Of Nationwide Protest, Calls On Police, Protesters For Restraint

By Ayodele Oni

The International Press Centre, (IPC) has tasked journalists that will be on duty during the nationwide protest to adopt safety measures in course of their assignment.

Executive Director of IPC, Lanre Arogundade said in a statement that the call has become necessary in view of past experiences of Journalists in such situation.

The statement, signed by Melody Akinjiyan, stated that “In view of the planned nation-wide protests scheduled to commence on Thursday, August 1, 2024, the International Press Centre, Lagos-Nigeria has tasked journalists and other media professionals who may be on duty to adopt necessary safety measures to avoid attacks.

“The protests, which according to the organisers, is scheduled to hold across the thirty-six (36) states of the country and the FCT, August 1 – 10, 2024, is aimed at pushing for a transformative change, demanding a more equitable society with effective leadership, affordable food, zero hunger and a reduced cost of living.

“The Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade said the admonition to journalists has become necessary in the light of previous experiences when journalists were assaulted in the course of legitimate duty.

“We urge all journalists and media practitioners who will be on the field to cover the anticipated nation-wide protests to adopt and implement safety measures while carrying out their activities professionally.

“Journalists who are to cover the protests should ensure that they are fully kitted and have their identification card clearly displayed in order to avoid situations wherein security agencies may mistake them as protesters and avoid a situation that would make the security agencies to question them, unduly harass, or bar them from performing their duties.”

He also enjoined other stakeholders, especially the security agencies to undertake the performance of their tasks in a civil and responsible manner.

“The security forces should note that the media plays a critical role in the information dissemination chain and are obligated to professionally carry out their task in reporting societal events, hence they be accorded due rights and privileges to enable them carry out their social obligations.

“The media should be seen as partners in progress and not as adversaries.”

IPC is also calling on the public, including protesters, to recognize the crucial role the media plays by protecting and supporting them as they report critical events during the protest.

“It should be noted that IPC, during the 2023 general elections launched a safety and professional advisory for the purpose of ensuring journalists who are covering events and discharging their duties are fully equipped with safety tools and precautions to engage with while on the field.

“This safety advisory regarding the proposed protest is therefore in line with IPC’s mandate to engender the safety of journalists under the IPC Safety Of Journalists Initiative.”