As Nigeria prepares for a nationwide protest scheduled to begin on August 1, 2024, the International Press Centre (IPC) has advised journalists and media professionals to take necessary safety precautions to avoid attacks while covering the event.
“The safety of journalists is crucial, and 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,” said Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of IPC.
Arogundade emphasised the importance of journalists being fully kitted and displaying their identification cards clearly to avoid mistaken identity and harassment by security agencies.
“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,” he added.
The IPC also called on security forces to recognize the critical role of the media and accord them due rights and privileges to perform their duties without intimidation.
“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,” Arogundade stressed.
In case of any incidents of attack or harassment, journalists can reach out to IPC’s Safety Alert Desk Helpline at 08132776441.
The advisory is part of IPC’s Safety of Journalists Initiative, which aims to ensure the safety of journalists while covering events.
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