Odita Sunday 
FG, Security Agencies Must Protect Journalists Ahead of 2027 Elections — Victor
By Odita Sunday
Journalist and press freedom advocate, Livinus Chibuike Victor, has urged the Federal Government and security agencies to put adequate measures in place to protect journalists and other media workers before, during and after the 2027 general elections.
Victor said journalists would play a critical role in informing Nigerians, documenting the electoral process and reporting developments from polling units and other sensitive locations during the elections.
He stressed that journalists must be able to perform their professional duties without fear of harassment, intimidation, assault, unlawful detention or obstruction.
According to him, the safety of journalists should be treated as a priority by the government and relevant authorities as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.
Victor called on the Federal Government, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to establish clear safety protocols for journalists covering the elections.
He also urged the authorities to provide rapid-response mechanisms to address emergencies involving journalists and ensure that security personnel deployed for election duties understand and respect the rights of accredited media professionals.
Victor maintained that protecting journalists was not a favour to the media, but an essential component of safeguarding democracy and the public’s right to credible information.
He therefore called on political parties, candidates, security agencies and other stakeholders to engage media organisations and journalists’ associations ahead of the elections to develop measures that would create a safe environment for journalists to carry out their constitutional and professional responsibilities.
He said such collaboration would help ensure that journalists can effectively document the electoral process and provide Nigerians with credible information throughout the elections.
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