In a recent incident in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, a journalist working for Channels Television named Charles Uproom was assaulted by police while covering a protest. The protests were taking place near the CFC flyover, where protesters were confronted by a significant police presence, including officers from the Navy and the Army.
Charles, while documenting the event, identified himself as a journalist by showing his ID card, but was nonetheless attacked by a police officer who questioned his presence at the protest. The officer slapped him and attempted to force him into a police van. Other officers recognized him and apologized for the actions of their colleague.
This situation reflects ongoing issues within the Nigerian police force, particularly regarding the education and professionalism of officers, as highlighted by Charles’s interviewer. The video emphasizes the troubling dynamics between the police and the media, indicating a climate of hostility toward journalists performing their lawful duties.
Charles noted that he wasn’t the only victim; another cameraman was harassed and had his equipment confiscated. “Somebody was filming from up here; a cameraman from another TV station was filming from up there the whole incident that was going on. The policeman chased him up there, confiscated his camera, and forced him to delete everything he had filmed. This happened yesterday, so it’s not even as though I was the only victim just because I was physically assaulted and beaten up. But then there were other journalists who were harassed in the line of duty,” he stated.
There is a broader context of concern for press freedom in Nigeria, where assaults on journalists undermine democracy. Calls have been made for accountability and correction from police leadership, emphasizing the constitutional rights of journalists to cover events without intimidation.
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