United Nations condemns attacks on media houses in Nigeria

- The United Nations has spoken out against the harassment of the press in Nigeria

- Ronald Kayanja, the director of the UN information centre in Nigeria faulted the attacks on the media

- Also, Catriona Laing, the British high commissioner to Nigeria condemned attacks on the media

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The United Nations on Monday, November 2, expressed concerns over the attacks on media houses and journalists in Nigeria.

According to TVC News, the director of the United Nations information centre in Nigeria, Ronald Kayanja, at a virtual event called on the federal government to protect media houses.

Kayanja said the attacks on Nigerian journalists should be investigated by the government.

He advised the authorities to promote the independence of the media as a way of combating fake news.

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The UN official said:

“One way to fight fake news and hate speech which is pervasive through digital media is to strengthen the independent media.

“Just like support is being provided for other sectors of the economy, to build back a better media the industry should also be supported."

Similarly, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing said journalists should never be intimidated or attacked for pursuing the truth.

She made the statement to mark the 2020 international day to end impunity for crimes against journalists.

She said:

"A free press is essential for an informed citizenry. Journalists play a crucial role in holding our governments to account and preventing impunity. Journalists should never be intimidated or attacked for pursuing the truth.”

Meanwhile, the minister of information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Tuesday, October 27 said the nation is sitting on a keg of gun powder regarding the issue of fake news.

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He said there is a need for the federal government to immediately begin to regulate the social media space.

The minister stated this while responding to questions from federal lawmakers when he appeared before the House of Representatives committee on information, national orientation, ethics and values.

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