Human rights commissioner, Nils Muižnieks highlights the dangers journalists face in the digital age in his podcast message marking World Press Freedom Day which celebrated every May 3.
He says: “Bloggers, reporting citizens and others have joined traditional journalists in the ranks of those who are at risk of retaliation by state authorities or interest groups. Every day, the Internet carries free expression in the public interest to people around Europe and elsewhere.
This is the way in which, for instance, more and more people become aware of corruption, maladministration, unethical behaviour by public officials and businesses, and serious human rights violations. As growing portions of journalistic activity take place on the Internet, Europe has not become a safer place for those expressing critical opinions. Clearly, people reporting can reach out faster and to a broader audience than before. But old and new threats await them when they decide to do so: violence, intimidation, prosecution for lawful speech, judicial harassment and surveillance of those reporting continue unabated in the digital era, including in Europe.”
Also as journalists all over the world celebrate Press Freedom Day, the Nigerian government on Thursday dropped the charges against the Group News Editor of Leadership Newspapers, Tony Amokeodo and a political reporter in the stable, Chibuzor Ukaibe.
Amokeodo, Ukaibe and their employer, Leadership Group Ltd, which was represented by a group executive director of the company, Dr. Mike Okpere, were arraigned on Monday before a Federal High Court on a six-count charge of felony and conspiracy against the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
They were accused of conspiracy to commit felony for allegedly forging a document titled “Presidential Directive” with the seal of the office of the president and published same in the April 3 edition of the newspaper.
They, however, got a reprieve Thursday as the Federal Government withdrew the charge against them.
