Press Freedom Advocate Livinus Victor demands public apology from Abike Dabiri-Erewa over Journalism remarks

Nigerian journalist and press freedom advocate, Livinus Chibuike Victor, has expressed concern over remarks attributed to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, suggesting that there is no journalism.

Victor described the reported remarks as insensitive and dismissive of the contributions of Nigerian journalists, calling on Dabiri-Erewa to clarify her comments and issue an unreserved public apology to members of the profession.

While acknowledging that journalism, like every other profession, faces significant challenges, Victor maintained that sweeping statements undermining the credibility and contributions of journalists were unfair to the thousands of professionals who continue to inform the public under difficult circumstances.

Before venturing into politics and subsequently serving as a member of the House of Representatives representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency from 2003 to 2015, Dabiri-Erewa built a career in broadcasting and journalism with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), where she became widely recognised for presenting and anchoring Newsline.

Victor said her professional background demonstrated the role journalism could play in informing citizens, shaping public discourse and preparing individuals for leadership and public service.

He described it as disappointing that someone who had benefited from the opportunities provided by journalism would make remarks that journalists could interpret as dismissive of the profession and those who continue to practise it.

“You cannot discredit the entire profession simply because you are dissatisfied with its present condition. Criticism is legitimate, but it must be responsible, constructive and respectful of the people who continue to keep the profession alive,” Victor said.

He stressed that journalists across Nigeria work under difficult conditions to inform the public, expose wrongdoing, hold public officials accountable and defend citizens’ democratic rights.

According to him, many journalists face intimidation, harassment, unlawful detention, threats and financial hardship in the course of their duties, while some have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Victor argued that their sacrifices should not be dismissed through generalisations about the state of journalism.

He also noted that the challenges confronting the industry, including ethical violations, misinformation, political interference and declining professional standards, required meaningful reforms, accountability and a renewed commitment to professional ethics.

However, he maintained that such challenges should not be used to suggest that journalism had lost its relevance or ceased to serve a meaningful purpose.

“If journalism is facing a crisis, the appropriate response is to help rebuild it, strengthen its ethical standards and protect the independence of journalists. It is not to insult those who are still doing the work under difficult circumstances,” he added.

The press freedom advocate described journalism as a critical pillar of democratic governance, noting that a free and independent press provides citizens with access to information, exposes abuses of power, amplifies marginalised voices and creates opportunities for public debate.

He warned that without a functioning and independent media, public accountability could weaken, citizens could lose access to reliable information, and public officials could face less scrutiny over their decisions.

Victor also urged public officials to exercise caution when commenting on the media, particularly at a time when journalists are confronting professional, economic and security challenges.

He said Dabiri-Erewa’s experience in journalism should encourage her to offer constructive criticism rather than make statements that could leave practitioners feeling belittled or disrespected.

“Madam Abike Dabiri-Erewa, you had the opportunity to build a career in journalism before entering the political arena. That history should inspire you to offer constructive criticism, not sweeping statements that leave journalists feeling belittled and disrespected. You may disagree with certain practices in the media, but such disagreements must never become an excuse to diminish the entire profession,” he said.

Victor acknowledged that journalism, like every other profession, was not above criticism. However, he insisted that such criticism should be fair, specific and informed by an appreciation of the work journalists continue to do, often at considerable personal risk.

He therefore called on Dabiri-Erewa to clarify her reported remarks and issue an unreserved public apology to Nigerian journalists for any language that suggested the profession was no longer worthy of respect or had ceased to serve a meaningful purpose.

He further urged her to use her position as a public official to support initiatives that promote media freedom, journalist safety, ethical reporting and constructive engagement between government institutions and the press.

Victor concluded that journalism was bigger than any individual, political office or administration, adding that people who moved from the newsroom into politics or public administration should not disparage the profession that contributed to their public careers.

“Journalism is not dead. Nigerian journalists are still working, asking difficult questions, exposing wrongdoing and giving a voice to the voiceless. Their contribution to our democracy cannot be erased by a careless statement. The profession deserves reform where necessary, protection where threatened and respect at all times. Abike Dabiri-Erewa owes Nigerian journalists a public apology, and I urge her to demonstrate the leadership and maturity expected of someone entrusted with public responsibility,” he said.

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