Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: https://www.voanews.com/press-freedom/rights-groups-sound-alarm-over-waning-press-freedoms-nigeria
Rights Groups Sound Alarm Over Waning Press Freedoms in Nigeria
By Sahar Majid, Peter Cobus
May 28, 2020 02:22 PM
WASHINGTON - Nigeria is one of West Africa’s "most dangerous and difficult countries for journalists," an international media watchdog has said.
Expanded state surveillance, the spread of disinformation, and arbitrary arrests of journalists who report critically on the ruling political establishment were cited as the main obstacles to press freedom by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
In its 2020 annual World Press Freedom Index, RSF ranked Nigeria 115 out of 180 countries, in which one is considered the freest.
Other rights groups have also expressed alarm about conditions for the media in Nigeria over the past year.
The Media Foundation for West Africa said Nigeria was among the countries in the region where journalists are assaulted, attacked, or have had equipment seized and destroyed while covering COVID-19, the respiratory ailment triggered by the coronavirus.
Rights Groups Sound Alarm Over Waning Press Freedoms in Nigeria
By Sahar Majid, Peter Cobus
May 28, 2020 02:22 PM
WASHINGTON - Nigeria is one of West Africa’s "most dangerous and difficult countries for journalists," an international media watchdog has said.
Expanded state surveillance, the spread of disinformation, and arbitrary arrests of journalists who report critically on the ruling political establishment were cited as the main obstacles to press freedom by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
In its 2020 annual World Press Freedom Index, RSF ranked Nigeria 115 out of 180 countries, in which one is considered the freest.
Other rights groups have also expressed alarm about conditions for the media in Nigeria over the past year.
The Media Foundation for West Africa said Nigeria was among the countries in the region where journalists are assaulted, attacked, or have had equipment seized and destroyed while covering COVID-19, the respiratory ailment triggered by the coronavirus.