International agency slams Malami for twisting facts about attacks on Nigerian journalists
An international agency that tracks attacks on journalists around the world, the Committee to Protect Journalists, has reprimanded Federation Attorney General and Justice Minister Abubakar Malami over his misrepresentation of CPJ data on attacks on journalists in the country.
Recall that Malami, while speaking after the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in Abuja, claimed that "no case of death of a journalist has been recorded in Nigeria as a result of 'related offences'.
While also citing a CPJ report, Malami described “Nigeria as the only African country that has been in full compliance in terms of protecting the rights of journalists.”
But CPJ, in a statement on Friday, urged the minister to revise the statements because they mischaracterize CPJ's research into the state of press freedom in the country.
CPJ noted that its research into attacks, prosecutions, and harassment of journalists shows that at least 24 journalists have been killed in the country since 1992, including 12 journalists who have been confirmed to have been killed. killed in connection with their work.
CPJ's Africa Program Coordinator, Angela Quintal, said, "CPJ's research on press freedom in Nigeria, which shows years of attacks on members of the press, including killings, strongly contradict the comments of Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami about the press freedom situation in the country.
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"Malami's misrepresentation of CPJ research is particularly alarming and tragically ironic given the frequency with which Nigerian journalists are accused and prosecuted for spreading alleged lies."
The statement further chronicled the previous mischaracterization of CPJ's work by Malami and ministry spokesperson Umaru Gwandu.
In his defense, Malami, after being contacted by CPJ, promised to "review" the statements, adding that "our conclusion is based on your reports as published. You may wish to refer to your versions previous ones establishing the same position.”
According to the statement, CPJ also contacted presidential spokesperson Garba Shehu, who asked CPJ to provide details on the government's involvement in the killings of journalists.
When he received details of the deaths of Okezie Amaruben in 1998, Fidelis Ikwuebe in 1999, Precious Owolabi in 2019 and Onifade Emmanuel Pelumi in 2020 related to government involvement, Shehu said, "I work as the president's spokesperson," adding that Malami could speak for himself.
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An international agency that tracks attacks on journalists around the world, the Committee to Protect Journalists, has reprimanded Federation Attorney General and Justice Minister Abubakar Malami over his misrepresentation of CPJ data on attacks on journalists in the country.
Recall that Malami, while speaking after the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in Abuja, claimed that "no case of death of a journalist has been recorded in Nigeria as a result of 'related offences'.
While also citing a CPJ report, Malami described “Nigeria as the only African country that has been in full compliance in terms of protecting the rights of journalists.”
But CPJ, in a statement on Friday, urged the minister to revise the statements because they mischaracterize CPJ's research into the state of press freedom in the country.
CPJ noted that its research into attacks, prosecutions, and harassment of journalists shows that at least 24 journalists have been killed in the country since 1992, including 12 journalists who have been confirmed to have been killed. killed in connection with their work.
CPJ's Africa Program Coordinator, Angela Quintal, said, "CPJ's research on press freedom in Nigeria, which shows years of attacks on members of the press, including killings, strongly contradict the comments of Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami about the press freedom situation in the country.
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"Malami's misrepresentation of CPJ research is particularly alarming and tragically ironic given the frequency with which Nigerian journalists are accused and prosecuted for spreading alleged lies."
The statement further chronicled the previous mischaracterization of CPJ's work by Malami and ministry spokesperson Umaru Gwandu.
In his defense, Malami, after being contacted by CPJ, promised to "review" the statements, adding that "our conclusion is based on your reports as published. You may wish to refer to your versions previous ones establishing the same position.”
According to the statement, CPJ also contacted presidential spokesperson Garba Shehu, who asked CPJ to provide details on the government's involvement in the killings of journalists.
When he received details of the deaths of Okezie Amaruben in 1998, Fidelis Ikwuebe in 1999, Precious Owolabi in 2019 and Onifade Emmanuel Pelumi in 2020 related to government involvement, Shehu said, "I work as the president's spokesperson," adding that Malami could speak for himself.
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