IPC TO HOLD MEDIA ROUND TABLE ON
“SAFEGUARDING PRESS FREEDOM AND SAFETY OF JOURNALISTS AMIDST RISING CONFLICT”
In addressing the
spate of arrests, attacks and assault of journalists by officials, agents and
agencies of government, the International Press Centre (IPC),
Lagos-Nigeria shall be holding a media roundtable/tweet-a-thon to deliberate on
measures to safeguard press freedom and other pertinent issues relating to the
safety of journalists in Nigeria.
According
to Lanre Arogundade, Director of IPC, the event, scheduled to hold in Lagos on Wednesday,
February 15, 2017 is being organized under the auspices of the NIGERIAN
JOURNALISTS SAFETY INITIATIVE (NJSI) which is supported by the Open
Society Foundation (OSF) towards facilitating a free and safe environment
for journalists and other media professionals in Nigeria.
“This
edition of the media roundtable/tweet conference is taking place against the
background of increasing trends by government officials in using security
agents to arrest and detain journalists. It is also taking place against the
background of various violent conflicts including but not limited to Boko
Haram, herdsmen attacks, militia uprisings and clashes with secession agitators”
Arogundade said.
“Pursuant to the above, the media
roundtable shall have panel and interactive discussion on the roles of media
stakeholders; The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), editors, media organizations,
media support groups, including the roles of rights groups and related agencies
of government in ensuring the protection of the rights and safety of
journalists. In this regard, the event shall have Barrister Monday Ubani,
former Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association, Ikeja Branch and Mr. Gbenga Omotoso,
Editor, The Nation Newspaper as lead speakers while it will be moderated by Mr.
Feyi Smith, Executive Secretary, Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria
(NPAN). There will be other discussants from related stakeholders on the theme:
“safeguarding press freedom and safety of journalists amidst rising conflict.”
The event shall be
interactive as there would be a question and answer session involving the
participants physically present as well as those following on twitter @ipcng
and other social media channels under the hashtag: #safetyofjournalistsng
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