Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Press Council, NPC, Dr. Dili Ezughah


The Nigerian Press Council, NPC, has expressed displeasure over the reported attacks on some journalists who covered the recent #Endbadgovernance nationwide protest.


The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Press Council, Dr. Dili Ezughah, made the position of the agency known in Abuja during a post-mortem session of the council on the coverage of the protest by the press, according to a statement signed by Mrs. Chinyere Facah

Head, Protocol/Public Relations, NPC.


Dr. Ezughah expressed consternation that journalists going about their lawful duty could come under attacks by security operatives who ought to protect them.


He said that the incident did not reflect the true nature of the recent relationship between the press and security agencies which had been cordial and respectful.


He posited that while security agents should feel free to maintain law and order during protests, they should by no means obstruct the performance of journalists’ duty, which consists in getting the people informed of developments of public interest.


The Executive Secretary stressed the need for the press and the security agencies to work in collaboration, citing Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution ( as amended) which provides that “the press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold … the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people”.


He further observed that freedom of information and expression remained the soul of democracy, warning that “a muzzled press is a poster boy of a society in chains”.


Dr. Ezughah explained that one of the statutory functions of the Nigerian Press Council was to review “developments likely to restrict the supply, through the press, of information of public interest and importance or which are likely to prevent free access of the press to information; and advise on measures necessary to prevent or remedy such development”.


Dr. Ezughah, who commiserated with the journalists and the media houses affected by the unprovoked aggression of some overzealous security personnel, sued for a better working relationship between the media and the security agents in the future.