by Victoria Edeme
The Wole Soyinka centre for Investigative Journalism has charged the media not to relent in its coverage of security issues in the country.
The non-profit organisation stated in its recent newsletter that the security situation in Nigeria leaves more to be desired; and that, with the unprecedented wave of kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, religious extremism, killings, and threats to lives and properties, the situation raises concerns about the duty of government to protect lives and properties of all Nigerians from internal aggression and external incursions.
It noted that a cardinal promised agenda of the current administration was to find lasting solutions to the insecurity situation in the country. “Six years down the line, insecurity remains intense and arguably worse in some circumstances,” it noted.
Says the the newsletter, “According to the 2020 Mass Atrocities report by Global Rights Nigeria, at least 4,556 lives were lost as casualties of violent attacks, clashes, terrorism, kidnappings, and extrajudicial killings between January and December 2020. A glaring spike of almost 43% in the number of casualties when compared to 2019.
“Despite the challenging times, the media is expected to continue to play its constitutional role to inform and educate with its reports without endangering the lives of journalists. The media, need to set the agenda by providing consistent, meaningful, and responsible coverage of security issues to the public while avoiding generic labeling, assumptions or sensationalism that may fuel tension.”
The newsletter therefore presents past finalist stories related to insecurity from the Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting, whose call for application will open from 4th to 25th October.
“The stories, some as far back as 2013, tell us that many of the violent attacks and crisis in some areas of the country are recurring.
“We charge the media to be unrelenting in its reportage of security for the benefit of society,” it advised.
