By David Oluyide
Concerns have continued to mount over the reported harassment and intimidation of campus journalists covering the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Students’ Union election, with the Association of Campus Journalists, OAU, withdrawing from live coverage of the exercise.
The association, in a statement obtained by Third Lens on Thursday signed by its President, Esther Olatimehin, and Public Relations Officer, Olanrewaju Lawal, said it took the decision following the “persistent harassment, intimidation, and denial” experienced by its reporters while carrying out their duties across polling units.
According to the statement, despite identifying themselves as accredited members of the association, its reporters were prevented by electoral officials from accessing polling centres in the Faculties of Arts, Agriculture, Basic Medical Sciences, Law and Social Sciences.
The association added that some of its members were allegedly manhandled, threatened and deliberately obstructed from documenting proceedings.
It described the incidents as “a serious assault on press freedom and a direct attack on the peaceful, transparent and accountable process that ought to define every democratic election.”
The association further stated that the exclusion of its members from polling units had raised concerns over transparency and public confidence in the conduct of the election.
“In light of these developments, the Association has decided to withdraw from providing election updates and live coverage of the ongoing electoral process until the safety and unrestricted access of its members are ensured,” the statement read.
Reacting to the development, the Editorial Advisor of the Association of Campus Journalists, Adejumo Kabir, condemned the alleged intimidation, describing attacks on campus journalists as an attack on transparency and democratic values.
“Campus journalists are not enemies of the electoral process; they are indispensable stakeholders in it. Their responsibility is to provide timely, accurate and independent coverage that promotes transparency, accountability and public trust,” he said.
Kabir added, “It is, therefore, both unfortunate and unacceptable that members of such an organisation are subjected to intimidation. To attack campus journalists is to attack transparency itself and to undermine the credibility of the electoral process.”
He called on the Students’ Union Electoral Commission, university security personnel, candidates, supporters and members of the university community to guarantee the safety and freedom of accredited journalists throughout the electoral process and ensure those responsible for any acts of harassment are held accountable.
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