Journalist and press freedom advocate, Livinus Chibuike Victor, has called on the Federal Government and relevant security agencies to take concrete measures to protect journalists and media workers ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Victor said journalists would play a critical role in informing Nigerians, documenting the electoral process and reporting developments from polling units and other sensitive locations during the elections.
He stressed that journalists must be allowed to perform their professional duties without fear of harassment, intimidation, assault, unlawful detention or obstruction.
According to him, the Federal Government, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies should establish clear safety protocols specifically for journalists covering the elections.
He also called for the establishment of rapid-response mechanisms to address emergencies involving journalists, while urging security personnel to understand and respect the rights of accredited media professionals.
Victor maintained that protecting journalists should not be regarded as a favour to the media, stressing that it is an essential part of protecting democracy and the public’s right to credible information.
He urged political parties , candidates and other stakeholders to work closely with media organisations and journalists’ associations ahead of the elections to create a safe environment for journalists to carry out their constitutional and professional responsibilities.
He said a secure media environment would enable journalists to provide accurate and timely information to citizens while documenting the electoral process and promoting transparency and accountability.(Emporium Reporters),
