By Peter James
ABUJA/Nigeria: Online Media Practitioners under the auspices of the Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN), have called on security agents enforcing the lockdown order in some parts of the country to stop harassing journalists who are in the field doing their legitimate jobs.
The association in a press release, signed by Mr. Ismailia Yakubu, the National Publicity Officer, said that the body had noticed with dismay, and highhandedness some of the security agencies caught on tape had been intimidating journalists who are out to provide information to Nigerians, instead of commending them for defying the olds of the coronavirus pandemic.
“We had noticed with dismay, the highhandedness of some security agencies who have been caught on tape manhandling journalists. The only crime committed by these journalists is that they dared the odds to remain in the streets to report COVID-19 response across Nigeria in a selfless show of patriotism.”
“It is particularly shocking that instead of commendation, the Nigerian journalists are being battered in clear breach of their rights as professionals going about their national service.”
The body called the relevant security authourities to reign their operatives, as the journalist were supposed to be protected, and not endangered.
The statement further called on government at all level to put together financial stimulus to support the vital work that journalists across Nigeria are doing at this critical time, especially in covering the Covid-19 pandemic, as they are the only professionals standing side by side with the health workers during this time.
