Media Rights Agenda (MRA)

Media Rights Agenda have compiled a report on media violations in Nigeria and are calling on the authorities to take measures to protect journalists grappling with the increase in attacks against them.

Years of civil society advocacy, led by the African Platform on Access to Information (APAI), has culminated in the proclamation of 28 September as International Day for Universal Access to Information by the UN General Assembly.

In calling for the immediate release of journalist Agba Jalingo, Media Rights Agenda has criticised the Nigeria Police Force for allowing itself to be manipulated by politicians by arbitrary arresting and detaining the journalist and undermining freedom of expression in the process.

Media Rights Agenda condemns the tragic death of journalist Precious Owolabi who was accidentally shot while covering clashes between the Nigerian police and members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) during street protests

Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has been criticised by Media Rights Agenda for requiring their staff to subscribe to an oath of secrecy.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to sign the Digital Rights and Freedom Bill is regarded as a missed opportunity to lead in the push for digital rights in Nigeria as well as Africa.

MRA calls for the immediate and unconditional release of journalist Samuel Ogundipe who is being detained for refusing to disclose the source of his information for a news report.

A Reference Group comprising ten African civil society organisations will lead the process of revising the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression under the direction and guidance of Commissioner Lawrence Mute, the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa.