In a free and republican government, you cannot restrain
the voice of the multitude. – George Washington
Africa
Nigeria
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| IREX Score: 2.23 | [IREX Methodology] |
| {Higher is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to 4.00} |
IREX Description:
Nigeria experienced a political vacuum for many months in 2009, as the failing health of then-president Umaru Yar'Adua kept him away from his official duties—but with no designated official holding fort in the interim. Rumors of Yar'Adua's ill health had swirled since his candidacy for president in 2007, raising questions about his fitness to lead the country. As the president's health apparently worsened, the media grew bolder in reporting on his health, with fewer repercussions for journalists. Ironically, with no one apparently in charge and in the ensuing political intrigues, the media enjoyed a significant measure of freedom to operate. The air of somewhat unrestrained freedom served to bolster public and media perception of an improved press freedom environment for much of 2009.
The violence touched an MSI panelist as well. A few days before the MSI panel convened, Adolphus Okonkwo, one of the proposed panelists, was abducted at gunpoint in Aba (in southeastern Nigeria), along with three other journalists. Okonkwo, the secretary of the Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, also works with the Voice of Nigeria, Nigeria's external radio broadcasting organization. Although the abductors initially demanded a ransom of NGN 250 million (about $1.66 million), they released the journalists after about a week, after stealing all the cash and equipment they had in their possession. Okonkwo was therefore unable to participate in the panel discussion.
| Freedom House Score: 52 (Partly Free) | [Freedom House Methodology] |
| {Lower is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to 100} |
| Freedom on the Net Score: 35 (Partly Free) | [Freedom House Methodology] |
| {Lower is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to 100} |
In 1999, Nigeria returned to civilian governance after almost 30 years of military rule.1Press freedom and the space for free expression have since increased. Nevertheless, the legal and political environment for traditional media remains harsh, and a number of journalists have been killed in recent years. Online media have been comparatively free from such restrictions to date, though two bloggers were detained for questioning in late 2008. The Nigerian authorities do not carry out any filtering of content, and while access to information technology is still limited for many Nigerians, the number of internet users nearly quadrupled between 2008 and 2010. Several recent legislative initiatives have raised concerns that the relative freedom and privacy enjoyed by online journalists and writers may come under threat in the near future.
Read more on Freedom House's site...
| RSF Score: 51.50 | [RSF Methodology] |
| {Lower is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to ~120} |
| Committee to Protect Journalists Description: | [What is the Committee to Protect Journalists?] |
Top Developments
• Two journalists murdered, another assaulted in ethnic violence.
• Secrecy surrounds death of President Yar'Adua.
Key Statistic
7: Journalists kidnapped in restive southern region. All are freed.
Official secrecy surrounded the heart ailment that eventually claimed the life of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, sparking a debate over what constituted public information. Nigeria celebrated 50 years of nationhood, but its celebration was marred by a deadly bombing for which a Niger Delta militant group claimed responsibility. Amid a climate of ethnic and political violence, exacerbated by widespread impunity, at least two journalists were killed in direct relation to their work, while a third was slain under unclear circumstances. Another seven journalists and a media support worker were briefly kidnapped in two separate cases in the volatile oil-rich southern region.
| IFEX News: | [What is IFEX?] |
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