The Coalition for Whistleblower Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) vociferously condemns the intimidation and harassment of the Daily Trust journalist, Eyo Charles by former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode.

In a viral video, the former spokesman to former President Olusegun Obasanjo was captured verbally assaulting a Daily Trust reporter on the 20th of August during a press conference in Calabar, Cross River State.

The verbal assault was because of a question Mr Charles asked regarding Mr Femi Fani Kayode’s travels to inspect projects across states and who was funding the work. To which he responded not with a response to the question but with vitriolic insults, demanding to know what right the journalist had to ask this question considering his status and threatening Mr Eyo with backlash.

The Coalition for Whistleblower Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) calls Mr Fani Kayode’s outburst a violation of the journalist’s rights and points out that the verbal assaults and threats made by Mr Fani-Kayode constitute an attack on the journalist who was simply performing his civic and constitutional duty.

This harassment by the former Minister is an indication of an insidious lack of regard for the media and its work in investigating and reporting on issues. Journalism is the bedrock of democracy; therefore, media practitioners must NEVER be intimidated or threatened as they carry out their civic duty.

No one should ever call any journalist “stupid” for doing their job.  The media has a very vital role to play as a public watchdog in a democratic society and should not be cowed or harassed into silence.