IPI calls for release of over 250 journalists in jail

The International Press Institute has called for the release of journalists who are in jail in different countries around the world.

Deputy Director of the Institute, Scott Griffin who made the call at the ongoing Congress of the Institute in Abuja lamented that the number of journalists who are behind bars are increasing instead of decreasing adding that over 250 journalists are presently behind bars in different countries around the globe.

He observed that a journalist in Cairo, Egypt is facing death penalty for doing his job. He said, “So many Journalist are in jail in Egypt, Turkey, Iran and China among others. In Iran and China, we don’t have access to determine the number of journalists in jail “.

Griffin insisted that journalists must be free to do their jobs, as there can’t be good journalism without journalists to do the job.

Griffin who stressed the need to work together to secure the release of the affected journalists said, “It is important because if we are united as a community, it will bring more strength and put more pressure on the state “.