As threats and repressions continue to grow against journalists and media practitioners without any accountability, media practitioners have challenged the government and relevant stakeholders to take appropriate actions to change the narrative in Nigeria and globally.

Over time, there have been many reported cases of attacks against press freedom in Nigeria and other countries, in which journalists and media practitioners have experienced harassment, assaults, and other psychological cases. Some of these cases have been attributed to both state and non-state actors.

In commemoration of the 2024 World Press Freedom Day, which is celebrated on May 3rd annually, organised by the Media Rights Agenda (MRA) and Global Rights Advocates for Sustainable Justice in collaboration with the International Press Centre (IPC) and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), the media practitioners gathered to address the consistent media suppression in the country.

Participants at the event

Addressing the prevalence of press suppression as a hurdle to the proliferation of democracy in the country, Mr Edeatan Ojo, the Executive Director of the Media Rights Agenda, condemned the impunity in the system, which allows many attacks on media practitioners to go unpunished.

In his speech, Mr Ojo analysed some past incidents of media attacks, stating that between May 2023 and April 2024, the organisation recorded at least 45 attacks on journalists and media houses.

After breaking down the 37 attacks that were reported, Mr Ojo revealed that, in eighty-two per cent of the attacks, the victims were male journalists, and in four of the attacks, the victims were female journalists.

He also added that four attacks we recorded were against media houses, organisations, or outlets that were invaded. These institutional attacks also represent 9 per cent of the total attacks.

“Out of the 45 cases of attacks documented by MRA, law enforcement and security agencies were responsible for 62 per cent of all attacks, while hoodlums and thugs perpetrated 16 per cent of the attacks, with unidentified persons such as kidnappers, armed individuals, etc. being responsible for 15 per cent of the attacks.

“Typically, there is no instance where any of the perpetrators have been arrested, prosecuted, or otherwise held accountable, with the result that impunity continues to thrive.

The media expert further called for a redoubling of efforts to advocate for the safety of journalists and collaboration among civil society organisations to foster the country’s democracy .“It seems to us therefore that, in the light of this situation, we need to redouble our efforts and collaborate more in defence of media freedom and the safety of journalists.

“Part of our strategy going forward would be to foster such collaboration and solidarity among media professionals and civil society organisations between the media sector and civil society.

He also advocated for deep focus on the “significant attention given to the frequent attacks coming from law enforcement and security agencies while striving to ensure that there is no more impunity for such attacks.

“We believe that there is a need for specific legislation to protect journalists and the media consistent with the requirements of relevant regional and international instruments. We will also be directing our efforts towards this objective in the coming months and years.

Speaking concerning the role played to mitigate the continued reported attacks and repressions against journalists, Mr Lanre Arogundade, the Executive Director of the International Press Centre (IPC), said there have been several attacks on journalists in the country that were spearheaded by some state actors, which serve as intimidation to the media practitioners.

“According to data obtained by I-CSPJ, no fewer than thirty-three (33) cases of attacks involving forty-four (44) journalists and six (6) media outlets were reported and documented. The following are the details: Male – thirty-five (35), Female – nine (9)

“Media stakeholders are now working on institutional and legislative frameworks that will expand the frontiers of press freedom, particularly a national policy on the safety of journalists and press freedom, Mr. Arogundade said.

Dr Akin Akingbulu, Executive Director of, Centre for Media and Society, pointed at election periods as the most dangerous time for journalists and media practitioners in the country. According to him, ensuring the rights of journalists to safety and security will require a general improvement in Nigerian politics and election procedures.

He clarified that when Nigerian journalists are continually subjected to assault, threats, intimidation, arrest, and other forms of attack while performing their jobs, they are unable to fully realise their potential and contribute to the nation’s developing democracy.

In his recommendation, Dr Akingbulu called for various associations in the media sector should establish a strategic relationship with the Nigeria Police and other security agents. The strategic relationship has become necessary to arrive at a mutual understanding to reduce the likelihood of attacks on journalists by security agents.

“Security agencies should establish guidelines and orientate their operations on respect for the rights of and appropriate engagement with journalists. Cases of attacks on journalists and media organisations should be promptly categorised and followed with remedial actions.

“Advocacy to ensure that NBC performs its oversight functions within the ambits of the law should be sustained. Legislative and judicial options must be pursued to ensure that NBC discharges its important duties without bias.

“Advocacy for the abolition of criminal defamation and other restrictive laws from the Nigerian body of law should be intensified.

Governments, should ensure that state and non-state actors who attack journalists are made to face the law,” he concluded.

Recounting their experiences of attacks, some of the participants blamed the negligence of media owners who abandoned their employers when they were faced victimisation on the job.

They urged media advocacy organisations to liaise with media owners to provide better physical welfare for their employees and to empower them financially and with sufficient security training , stating that it would further protect them against external attacks.