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By Abdulwaheed Olayinka Adubi, Kaduna
Following the increasing cases of harassment, arrests, imprisonment, torture and digital attacks on journalists, Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF), has said that Press freedom in Africa has remained an issue of concern.
The Foundation in a statement to mark the 2022 ‘ World Press Freedom Day’, explained that 55 journalists were killed worldwide in the last one year, this, according to UNESCO figures.
In the statement signed by the Foundation’s Executive Director, Illiya Kure on Tuesday further explained that the said Journalists were either killed in line of duty, or because of their journalistic practice.
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According to the statement, today, “at Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF), we salute journalists in Africa, and others around the world, who remain in the frontline to practice journalism, despite the attacks, threats, imprisonment, loss and blackmail.
“As we mark the 2022 World Press Freedom Day, we remember each of the 55 journalists killed worldwide in the last one year (UNESCO figures), who died in line of duty, or because of their journalistic practice.
“Overtime, Press Freedom in Africa has remained an issue of concern, with high incidences of violations and attacks on the Press by security agents, on the orders of people in authority, and sometimes by aggrieved members of the public, who take the law into their hands.
“The World Press Freedom Day, observed every 3rd May, is set aside by the United Nations to serve as a reminder “to governments of the need to respect their commitment to Press Freedom and is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics.
“Like every Press Freedom stakeholder, AMDF is concerned with increasing cases of harassment, arrests, imprisonment, torture and digital attacks on journalists for no other reason, other than doing their work”.
AMDF therefore call on governments and security agencies in Africa to respect the freedom of the press at all times, this is just as the Foundation advised journalists to adhere strictly to the code of journalism ethics.
“In respect to this, AMDF will on Thursday 12th May hold a virtual panel discussion via zoom, drawing journalists from different countries of Africa to discuss.
“While AMDF continues to speak against impunity and injustice against journalists, we call on all stakeholders to join us in our resolve to continue in the fight against Press Freedom until the press in Africa is free from attacks and violence,” the statement reads.