Amnesty criticizes Tinubu government for journalist accreditation revocation

Amnesty International, a prominent international human rights advocacy organization, has criticized the government led by President Bola Tinubu for revoking the accreditation of 25 journalists covering the Aso Villa.

In a statement, Amnesty International expressed its concern that this action represents a significant setback for press freedom in the country.

The rights group highlighted that on August 18, 2023, the Bola Tinubu Presidency withdrew the accreditation of 25 journalists and media houses, citing “security concerns and overcrowding of the press gallery area” as the reasons.

Isa Sanusi, the Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, emphasized the importance of media freedom, diversity, and the protection of journalists as essential components of the right to freedom of expression. Sanusi underlined that the media plays a crucial role in conveying information and ideas on matters of public interest and ensuring the public’s right to access them.

He pointed out that Nigeria is a signatory to international agreements such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which guarantee freedom of expression and place legal obligations on states to protect this right.

Sanusi further noted that Nigeria’s own Constitution, as amended in 1999, guarantees freedom of expression, access to information, and media freedom. He stressed that authorities should promote and encourage the enjoyment of human rights, including freedom of expression and media freedom, rather than restrict them.

Amnesty International characterized the arbitrary revocation of journalists’ accreditations as inconsistent with Nigeria’s international and constitutional human rights obligations and commitments.

Among the affected journalists and media personnel were representatives from Vanguard newspaper, Galaxy TV, Ben TV, MITV, ITV Abuja, PromptNews, ONTV, and Liberty. Most of the affected individuals work as reporters and cameramen for various broadcast, print, and online media outlets.