The Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) condemns the fatal attack on ChannelsTV reporter Mr Precious Owolabi, an attack that has resulted in His death and demands for immediate action to be taken to investigate and bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous act.
Mr. Precious Owolabi an NYSC corps member serving with Channels Television was hit by a stray bullet while covering the protest by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shiites on Monday 22nd July 2019 in Abuja. This protest turned violent as officers of the Nigerian Police force attempted to disrupt the protest by members of the IMN.
The death of the 23-year old Mr Owolabi in the line of duty and the over 300 recorded cases of attacks on the press as reported by the Press Attack Tracker underscores the several demands that the coalition has made for better protection of journalists while performing their constitutionally guaranteed functions.
The increasing attacks on journalists encroach on the freedom of the press and it behoves the government and other stakeholders to conscientiously work towards laws and provisions that will guarantee the safety and security of journalists in the line of duty. Failure to do this is a slight on any democratic society and a disservice to journalism, a profession that is fundamental to sustaining democracy.
The Coalition for Whistleblower Protection and Press Freedom calls on all relevant authorities to ensure justice is served in the case of the wrongful death of Mr Owolabi and anyone or group of persons found complicit be tried to the full extent of the law and brought to book.
The coalition also demands that Journalists in the line of duty especially covering conflict and humanitarian issues should be provided with security kits, journalists deserves to be protected.
The coalition sympathises with the family of this fallen hero and demands justice.
SIGNED
Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom:
African Centre for Media & Information Literacy (AFRICMIL)
Civic Media Lab
Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC)
Daily Trust Newspaper
International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR)
International Press Centre (IPC)
Media Rights Agenda (MRA)
OrderPaper
Paradigm Initiative
Premium Times
Premium Times Center for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ)
Sahara Reporters
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP)
TheCable
Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ)
