IPI Calls for Dialogue Instead of Arrests in Media-Police Conflicts

The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has told security agencies to stop using arrests, detention, and intimidation to settle issues with journalists. They believe that democratic societies have enough ways to handle disagreements between the media and the government.

Musikilu Mojeed, the President of IPI Nigeria, spoke at a security summit organized by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ). He said that the tensions between journalists and security agencies should be resolved through dialogue and proper legal channels instead of forceful actions.

The two-day summit began on 18 June and is in partnership with the State Security Service (SSS). The first day had many security officers and public officials there, including the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Defence's representative, Christopher Musa, and the representative of Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf.

Mr Mojeed, who is also the editor-in-chief of PREMIUM TIMES, pointed out that issues between security agencies and the media often come from “inadequate communication, mistrust and the failure to utilise existing mechanisms for resolving disagreements.”

He stressed that democratic societies must not see national security and press freedom as opposing forces. Instead, he believes both are important and support good governance. “Security without accountability risks secrecy and abuse, while freedom without security cannot be meaningfully sustained,” he stated.

Mr Mojeed added that there are already ways to solve disputes, such as dialogue platforms, self-regulatory processes in the media, accountability mechanisms, and the courts. “Alternative dialogue, self-regulatory processes, professional accountability mechanisms and judicial remedies can address disputes more effectively than raids, arrests, detention and intimidation,” he said.

The veteran journalist recognized that there will always be some tension between journalists and security agencies because they have different goals. But he believes the job of democratic institutions is not to get rid of these tensions but to manage them wisely.

“The task before democratic institutions is therefore not to eliminate tension, but to manage it responsibly,” he said.

Mr Mojeed emphasized that national security and press freedom should not be seen as opposite aims. He said that a strong society relies on both effective security forces and a free press that can hold those in power accountable. “A society is strongest when its citizens are secure, informed and able to trust both the institutions that protect them and the institutions that hold power accountable,” he added.

He praised the NUJ for holding the summit and called it an important place to discuss long-standing issues between journalists and security agencies in Nigeria. Mr Mojeed also promised that IPI Nigeria will keep supporting press freedom while acknowledging the role of national security in maintaining democratic governance.