Panellists at the Journalism & Society Conversations hosted by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) on Tuesday, 18 February 2025 have emphasised the urgent need for stronger collaboration between the media and civil society to counter increasing threats to press freedom and civic space safety in Nigeria.
Moderated by Adaora Onyechere Sydney-Jack, Executive Director of Gender Strategy Advancement International, the conversation, titled “Addressing threats and strengthening civic space safety in Nigeria,” brought together journalists, legal experts, and civil society actors to discuss growing concerns over harassment, intimidation, and legal restrictions affecting the media and civic actors.
Setting the tone for the discussion, Olaoluwa Adeleye, Programme Officer at WSCIJ, highlighted the increasing threats facing journalists, activists, and citizens in Nigeria. He stressed that a free press and open civic space are not privileges but fundamental rights that must be defended.
Ayode Longe, Deputy Executive Director of Media Rights Agenda (MRA), called for stronger collaboration to push back against repression. He explained how legal action has been an effective tool in defending press freedom, citing MRA’s successful court case against the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), which resulted in the commission halting its imposition of arbitrary fines on broadcast stations.
On his part, Usman Mustapha, an investigative journalist with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), decried the growing targeting of journalists, whistleblowers, and dissenting voices by both state and non-state actors, especially on social media. He stressed that these actions create a climate of fear and hinder public accountability.
Abdukareem Haruna, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Borno Council, warned that the shrinking civic space in Nigeria is a systemic assault on fundamental freedoms. He noted that intimidation through legal suits and censorship has severely weakened journalistic independence, particularly in conflict-prone regions. He urged media professionals to prioritise their safety, stating, “No story is worth the life of a journalist.”
Speaking on the importance of legal reforms to repeal or amend laws that stifle press freedom, Oluwakemi Oni, Legal Adviser at Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), pointed to the recent amendment of the Cybercrime Act as an example of how advocacy efforts can bring about positive change.
Grace Udie, Communications Lead at Gender Strategy Advancement International, reinforced the connection between civic space protection and gender equity, stating that a free and open civic space allows civil society actors to drive progress on critical issues, including women’s rights.
Responding to a question on justice for journalists who have been attacked or killed, Ayode Longe highlighted MRA’s ongoing legal efforts, including a court case compelling the Lagos State Government to conduct a coroner’s inquest into the death of Pelumi Onifade, an intern at Gboah TV, who was arrested by police during the #EndSARS protests in 2020 and later found dead at a mortuary in Ikorodu, Lagos.
The Journalism & Society Conversations by WSCIJ brings together stakeholders to discuss pressing issues such as press freedom, regulatory frameworks, and the vital role of investigative journalism in holding the government accountable and contributing to nation-building.
