The story of Haruna Mohammed Salisu is one that sheds light on the challenges journalists face in Nigeria.
As the editor of WikkiTimes, an investigative print publisher in Bauchi state, Haruna has faced harassment and threats for simply amplifying the voices of the people in his host community.
In 2021, Nigeria ranked a lowly 120th out of 180 countries assessed in the World Press Freedom Index, it’s not hard to see why.
Journalists are spied on, arbitrarily arrested, attacked, or even killed just for doing their job.
The situation is so dire that Nigeria has been labelled one of Africa’s most dangerous and difficult countries for journalists by Reporters Without Borders, a global media watchdog.
Attack on democracy
Haruna’s experience speaks to this reality. He was attacked and detained for five days in Bauchi State for carrying out his duty to report on a group of women who were protesting about unemployment and unfulfilled promises by the state governor.
The governor’s supporters attacked him and attempted to take his phone, and he was later detained in police custody before being transferred to Bauchi prison.
The governor, I was informed, believed that I was hired by the opposition party to undermine him, the same opposition that has accused WikkiTimes, my media organization, of being used by Governor Bala Mohammed’s government to attack them.
Despite these accusations from both sides, neither the opposition nor the government has been able to provide any evidence to support their claims he says.
Haruna says, sitting in my cell with mixed emotions of anger and sadness, I pondered on the devastating effect of political power on critical journalism in Nigeria, and by extension democracy.
Nigeria is a democracy, or it is believed to be so, but politicians will do everything to crush the people who challenge their power or the press that seeks to give power to the people.
The journalist believes that his arrest serves as a reminder of how vulnerable journalists are in Nigeria and highlights the devastating effect of political power on critical journalism and democracy
Haruna believes his arrest serves as a reminder of how vulnerable journalists are in Nigeria and highlights the devastating effect of political power on critical journalism and democracy.
He says, “Politicians will do everything to crush the people who challenge their power or the press that seeks to give power to the people.”
Despite the risks, journalists in Nigeria continue to soldier on, seeking the truth and exposing corruption, injustice, and government wrongs.
They know the power of the written word and the difference it can make in a world full of chaos.
However, without free expression and free media, human rights violations may go unnoticed, giving rise to impunity and ongoing violations.
The right to free expression is included in Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution and other international human rights instruments to which Nigeria is a signatory.
This right must be exercised to protect human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.
Nigerian Government denies press freedom ranking
Despite the Nigerian Government’s claim that the Nigerian press was among the freest and most vibrant in the world, the reality is that many journalists like Haruna have continued to face harassment and intimidation just for refusing to be silenced.
Experts say that freedom is essential to any democracy and if there’s no press freedom, democracy can’t work.
Haruna’s story is a call to action for all Nigerians to stand up for press freedom and the right to free expression.
It’s a reminder that journalists like Haruna risk their lives every day to bring us the truth and that we must support them in their fight for justice and democracy.
Press freedom is essential to any democracy. If there is no press freedom, democracy can’t work.
