Nigeria & Isioma DanielNigeria & Isioma Daniel

David Miller & Kat MartinDavid Miller & Kat Martin

A Unique HistoryA Unique History Both the system of revolving government regimes and highly

pluralistic society in Nigeria have created an intense dedication for Nigerians to engage in a free press despite a government that uses violence to prohibit this

Timeline of ruling Nigerian regimes:1960 :independence from Britain1966-1999: military rule resulting from 5 separate coup d’etats in 1966, 1975, 1983 and 1985May 29, 1999: constitution passed establishing a federal republic modeled after the United States

The concept of a free press actually predates the formation of Nigeria as a country and it began as the freest in Africa only to become one of the most dangerous places to practice journalism

The dichotomy between private / government owned media and between government theory and practice give Nigeria a very unique press model

Both the system of revolving government regimes and highly pluralistic society in Nigeria have created an intense dedication for Nigerians to engage in a free press despite a government that uses violence to prohibit this

Timeline of ruling Nigerian regimes:1960 :independence from Britain1966-1999: military rule resulting from 5 separate coup d’etats in 1966, 1975, 1983 and 1985May 29, 1999: constitution passed establishing a federal republic modeled after the United States

The concept of a free press actually predates the formation of Nigeria as a country and it began as the freest in Africa only to become one of the most dangerous places to practice journalism

The dichotomy between private / government owned media and between government theory and practice give Nigeria a very unique press model

Nigerian SocietyNigerian Society Nigeria is not only Africa’s largest nation (145 million people), but is

also one of its most diverse 3 major religions split geographically: Islam in the North, Christianity in

the South, and a general divide in the middle dominated by indigenous religions

Approximately 1,450 ethnic minorities exist in Nigeria This diversity ensures a “plurality of views” and these divisions in

society are irrelevant to the type of government in power. These divisions based on ethnic, religious, cultural, etc. factors lead to it being impossible for the government to eradicate completely the flow of ideas contrary to some of its policies

The press evolved more around the linkages to these various interests than to consistently failing governments and thus even with brutal dictatorships and military regimes elements of a free press are able to survive

Nigeria is not only Africa’s largest nation (145 million people), but is also one of its most diverse

3 major religions split geographically: Islam in the North, Christianity in the South, and a general divide in the middle dominated by indigenous religions

Approximately 1,450 ethnic minorities exist in Nigeria This diversity ensures a “plurality of views” and these divisions in

society are irrelevant to the type of government in power. These divisions based on ethnic, religious, cultural, etc. factors lead to it being impossible for the government to eradicate completely the flow of ideas contrary to some of its policies

The press evolved more around the linkages to these various interests than to consistently failing governments and thus even with brutal dictatorships and military regimes elements of a free press are able to survive

Press Freedom TodayPress Freedom Today Despite establishing a democracy, Nigeria practices an authoritarian

system with a significant and very active private media sector with journalists risking their lives for a free press

Technically under the constitution freedoms of speech and press are protected, but independent media must first get government permission

In reality the government uses the State Security Service to police the press. Tactics revolve around violence and in 2007 alone the SSS was responsible for 23 cases of physical assault and 13 journalist arrests

The government owns the largest daily newspaper and the vast majority of radio stations in Nigeria, the most consumed form of media in the country

Hope does exist as the press has become freer since 1999 and was able to displace many prominent politicians due to corruption and investigative reporting

Despite establishing a democracy, Nigeria practices an authoritarian system with a significant and very active private media sector with journalists risking their lives for a free press

Technically under the constitution freedoms of speech and press are protected, but independent media must first get government permission

In reality the government uses the State Security Service to police the press. Tactics revolve around violence and in 2007 alone the SSS was responsible for 23 cases of physical assault and 13 journalist arrests

The government owns the largest daily newspaper and the vast majority of radio stations in Nigeria, the most consumed form of media in the country

Hope does exist as the press has become freer since 1999 and was able to displace many prominent politicians due to corruption and investigative reporting

Isioma DanielIsioma Daniel Isioma Nkemdilim Nkiruka Daniel was born in 1981 Her first job as a journalist was at ThisDay, a Lagos-

based national daily newspaper First published article was titled “Miss World 2002: A

World At Their Feet…” and commented on the already controversial Miss World 2002 pageant in Nigeria

Comment that sparked a riot: "The Muslims thought it was immoral to bring 92 women to Nigeria and ask them to revel in vanity. What would Mohammed think? In all honesty, he would probably have chosen a wife from one of them” In reaction to her comment, the Islamist

government of Zamfara, a northern Nigerian state, issued a fatwa for her, meaning any Muslim, as a religious duty, could kill her.

“Protests in the Nigerian Delta: Women's Tactics Stymie Oil Grant” is her last article submitted for ThisDay - the article about the protests that began when women from the Itsekiri tribe in the Nigerian Delta wrote to Chevron insisting on better living conditions and employment for their youth.

Soon after she fled to Norway, with her resettlement guided by the Committee to Protect Journalists and Amnesty International.

Isioma Nkemdilim Nkiruka Daniel was born in 1981 Her first job as a journalist was at ThisDay, a Lagos-

based national daily newspaper First published article was titled “Miss World 2002: A

World At Their Feet…” and commented on the already controversial Miss World 2002 pageant in Nigeria

Comment that sparked a riot: "The Muslims thought it was immoral to bring 92 women to Nigeria and ask them to revel in vanity. What would Mohammed think? In all honesty, he would probably have chosen a wife from one of them” In reaction to her comment, the Islamist

government of Zamfara, a northern Nigerian state, issued a fatwa for her, meaning any Muslim, as a religious duty, could kill her.

“Protests in the Nigerian Delta: Women's Tactics Stymie Oil Grant” is her last article submitted for ThisDay - the article about the protests that began when women from the Itsekiri tribe in the Nigerian Delta wrote to Chevron insisting on better living conditions and employment for their youth.

Soon after she fled to Norway, with her resettlement guided by the Committee to Protect Journalists and Amnesty International.

Miss World RiotsMiss World Riots The Miss World Committee

attempted to accommodate multiple parties needs to keep the pageant in Nigeria Changed the date from September

30th to December 7th so the pageant wouldn’t take place during Ramadan

Eliminated the swimsuit competition to please the feminists and Muslims

The reaction to Daniel’s article ultimately left more than 200 people dead, 1,000 injured, and 11,000 homeless. Isioma Daniel felt that “nothing justified a religious group killing people simply because they considered a remark offensive.”

Pageant was ultimately moved to London

Riots Stop Nigeria Miss World: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYEaDv2uKX8

The Miss World Committee attempted to accommodate multiple parties needs to keep the pageant in Nigeria Changed the date from September

30th to December 7th so the pageant wouldn’t take place during Ramadan

Eliminated the swimsuit competition to please the feminists and Muslims

The reaction to Daniel’s article ultimately left more than 200 people dead, 1,000 injured, and 11,000 homeless. Isioma Daniel felt that “nothing justified a religious group killing people simply because they considered a remark offensive.”

Pageant was ultimately moved to London

Riots Stop Nigeria Miss World: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYEaDv2uKX8