The International Press Centre, IPC, has doled out safety tips in aid of Journalists and other media professionals who would be covering the most publicized nationwide protest against bad governance and hunger in Nigeria. This is contained in a press statement from IPC, made available to SSWatch on the eve of the planned protest
The protest, which according to the organisers, is scheduled to hold across the thirty-six (36) states of the country and the FCT, between August 1 – 10, 2024, is aimed at pushing for a transformative change, demanding a more equitable society with effective leadership, affordable food, zero hunger and a reduced cost of living.
According to the statement, the Executive Director of IPC, Lanre Arogundade said the safety tips is necessary going by similar previous experiences when journalists were assaulted in the course of performing their legitimate duty.
Says the statement, “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”.
The tips are; for Journalists covering the protests to be fully kitted and to wear their identification cards conspicuously displayed to avoid mistaken identities by security personnel who may construe them for protesters.
He also enjoined other stakeholders, especially the security agencies to discharge their duties professionally and responsibly.
“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 tasks of reporting societal events, hence they should be accorded due rights and privileges to enable them carry out their social obligations. The media should be seen as partners in progress and not as adversaries”, Arogundade stressed.
In like manner, IPC also calls on the general public, including protesters, to recognise the crucial role the media plays by protecting and supporting them as they report critical events like the protest.
By way of intervention, the statement also gave contact telephone line of its Safety Alert Desk Helpline – 08132776441 for journalists in distress to call for help
