The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has expressed concerned by the recent but alarming arrest and detention of journalists as expressed in the Amnesty International’s report on calling for concern on “Endangered Voices and Attack on Freedom of Expression in Nigeria .
In a press statement issued in Abuja by the Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa observed the deliberately unabated restrictions against Freedom of Expression as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria as a major setback to the nation’s democratic core values and respect before the international community.
He said they maintain and reiterate their undaunted position for social justice and press freedom, while calling on relevant authorities to secure citizens’ rights at all levels.
“We recall that Mr. Shuaib, who is also the anchor of Youth Digest, has been in the forefront of training young investigative journalists on accountability in the public sector, as demonstrated in “Campus Investigative Journalists Workshop” where campus students were trained on effective reportage, recently organized by CISLAC in collaboration with Youth Digest.
“ This is in addition to the Campus Journalism Awards, where best performing Campus Journalists were rewarded and encouraged in January 2019.
“We are not unaware of the media role in influencing public opinion, shaping political agenda, providing a link between the government and the people, while acting as the government’s watchdog in advancing good governance.
“We also recall the crucial importance of the media in the promotion of democracy and rule of law; just as media is indispensable for people to be informed and to effectively participate in a democracy.
“The perpetrators of corruption and other heinous crimes are the true enemies of the state who drag Nigeria into the abyss.
“Investigative journalists are patriots who should be celebrated, not arrested on fabricated charges and physically abused,” he said.