Attacks On Journalists In Gaza: FG Condemns It

 

The Federal Government of Nigeria has condemned in it's entirety attacks on NigeriansIn Journalists covering the  conflict  between Israel and Palestine stating that is a  flagrant violations of press freedom and human rights.

The attacks on Nigerian journalists it was learnt are being orchestrated  by the Israel security forces.

 Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation  in a speech during a  session of the Islamic Conference of Information Ministers in Istanbul, Turkey noted that since the beginning of the conflict, journalists have been subjected to harassment, intimidation, violence, and even death  for carrying out their duty.

Represented by the Head of Mission of the Nigerian Embassy in Turkey, Ambassador Zayyad Abdul-Salam, he stated that "From the statistics provided by the Committee for the Protection of Journalists (CPJ), about 88 journalists and media workers were killed since the war began on October 7, 2023."

 The minister called on member states of the Islamic Conference to condemn these atrocities and censorship against journalists performing their legitimate duties in Palestine. 

Idris also denounced any attempt to distort the facts and whitewash the humanitarian situation in Palestine, and advised the ministers to explore strategic communication, advocacy, and collaboration to amplify the voices of journalists who courageously document the human rights abuses and atrocities committed against the Palestinian people.

The Minister called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and emphasised Nigeria’s position on a two-state solution to address the crisis in Palestine and ensured that the rights and sovereignty of both Palestinian and Israeli peoples are respected and upheld.

 He stated "We must stand firm in solidarity with our colleagues in the media who risk their lives daily to report the humanitarian crisis in Palestine under occupation and to give voice to the voiceless.

“At the heart of our response must be a commitment to upholding the principles of press freedom, freedom of expression, and the right to information. 

"These fundamental human rights enshrined in international law constitute essential pillars of democracy and good governance. We cannot allow them to be trampled upon by those who seek to silence dissent and control the narrative.