The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has berated a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode for verbally attacking a journalist during a press conference.
In a viral video, Fani-Kayode had blasted the journalist identified as Eyo Charles, Cross Rivers State correspondent of Daily Trust Newspaper, over a question he deemed offensive.
Fani-Kayode called Charles “a stupid man” and asked him to report himself to his publisher.
Reacting to the attack via its Twitter handle, SERAP demanded that the former Minister issue a public apology to Charles.
“We condemn reported intimidation, harassment and attack on @daily_trust journalist by a former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode. Mr Fani-Kayode should publicly apologise to the journalist.
“No one should ever call any journalist “stupid” simply for doing their job.
“Journalistic freedom also covers possible recourse to a degree of exaggeration, or even provocation.
“The media has a vital role to play as “public watchdog” in imparting information of serious public concern and should not be inhibited or intimidated from playing that role,” the tweet read.
