Information on the Nigerian newspaper PM News [NGA26586.E]

PM News is a daily newspaper based at 26 Ijaiye Rd, Ogba, Ikeja in Lagos (Africa Review World of Information Feb. 1997). PM News was founded in August 1994 (AFP 4 Nov. 1994; Ibid. 27 Sept. 1994). According to a 13 June 1996 AFP report, PM News reaches "more than 250,000 readers daily in Lagos and other major cities in Lagos state." According to a 24 June 1996 Inter Press Service report, Independent Communication Limited, which has two publications in addition to PM News, is known for its opposition to the government.

P.M. News founder and editor-in-chief Bayo Onanunga was the first African journalist to win the Lord Astor Award, a prestigious award for reporters in the British Commonwealth (AFP 4 Nov. 1994). According to a 17 August 1996 AFP report, Onanunga was detained in mid-August 1996 for one week and released after being questioned about an article published by his press group. The article focused on Maryam Abacha, the wife of Nigerian head of state, General Sani Abacha (Ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References


Africa Review World of Information. February 1997. "Nigeria: Review 1997." (NEXIS)

Agence France Presse (AFP). 17 August 1996. "Nigerian Editor Is Released." (NEXIS)

_____. 13 June 1996. "Private Newspaper Suspends Publication." (NEXIS)

_____. 4 November 1994. " Nigeria Journalist Becomes First African to Win Lord Astor Award." (NEXIS)

_____. 27 September 1994. "Opposition Newspaper Editor Arrested." (BBC Summary 29 Sept. 1994/NEXIS)

Inter Press Service. 24 June 1996. Ojonelu Okolo. "Nigeria-Media: Fear and Poverty Dog Opposition Press." (NEXIS)

Attachments


Africa Review World of Information. February 1997. "Nigeria: Review 1997." (NEXIS)

Agence France Presse (AFP). 17 August 1996. "Nigerian Editor Is Released." (NEXIS)

_____. 13 June 1996. "Private Newspaper Suspends Publication." (NEXIS)

_____. 4 November 1994. " Nigeria Journalist Becomes First African to Win Lord Astor Award." (NEXIS)

_____. 27 September 1994. "Opposition Newspaper Editor Arrested." (BBC Summary 29 Sept. 1994/NEXIS)

Inter Press Service. 24 June 1996. Ojonelu Okolo. "Nigeria-Media: Fear and Poverty Dog Opposition Press." (NEXIS)