The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) condemns, in very strong terms, the serial attacks on journalists covering the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protest, describing the act as undemocratic and repressive.
GOCOP notes that journalists are partners in national development as well as critical stakeholders in the advancement of democracy and civil liberties and therefore deserve to be protected, and not suppressed as the security agents tried to do during the protest.
The body of online publishers specifically calls on relevant authorities in Nigeria, especially security agencies, to see journalists as partners and voices of the voiceless rather than treat them as meddlesome interlopers and enemies of the people.
Citing growing harassment of journalists including the denial of their fundamental right to life in the course of discharging their duties, GOCOP appeals to Nigerian security agencies to ensure the safety of all journalists especially during protests, riots and elections.
