The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) will on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, launch its 2025 Journalism and Civic Space Status Report Policy Brief at its virtual November edition of Journalism & Society conversation, examining institutional accountability and the protection of journalists and civic freedoms in Nigeria.
The conversation, scheduled for 11:00 a.m. West African Time (WAT) on WSCIJ’s X-Space, will bring together representatives of media, civil society and the human rights community to discuss measures for strengthening institutional responses to violations against journalists and other civic actors. The engagement, organised to commemorate the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, will be moderated by Nabilah Usman, General Manager of Radio Now.
The policy brief is based on findings from WSCIJ’s 2025 Journalism and Civic Space Status Report, Silenced Voices, Shrinking Space: Civic Freedoms Under Pressure, which documented 245 incidents involving journalists and other civic actors from 570 media reports across 54 media organisations.
According to the report, state actors were involved in 219 incidents, representing 89.4 per cent of the total, while non-state actors accounted for 26 incidents (10.6 per cent). Security and law enforcement operations accounted for 143 incidents, with the Nigeria Police Force identified in 118 incidents.
The findings highlight concerns about the conduct of security and law enforcement agencies in their interactions with journalists and other civic actors, as well as the institutional safeguards required to protect freedom of expression and civic participation.
The policy brief recommends improved operational guidelines and training for security personnel, stronger institutional accountability, effective complaint and redress mechanisms, and regular engagement between security institutions and civic actors. It also calls for systematic monitoring of institutional commitments and safeguards against the intimidation, harassment and retaliation of journalists and citizens.
Edetaen Ojo, Executive Director of Media Rights Agenda (MRA), will present the policy brief and lead discussions on its recommendations, institutional responsibilities and accountability measures required to translate them into practical reforms. Other panellists include Ayo Obe, lawyer and human rights advocate; Motunrayo Alaka, Executive Director/CEO of WSCIJ; and Peter Maduoma, Executive Director of CLEEN Foundation.
The discussion will examine the responsibilities of security institutions in protecting journalists, the balance between national security priorities and constitutional freedoms, police-media relations, and accountability for violations of civic rights.
The event will feature a presentation of the policy brief, and the engagement is expected to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to examine the policy recommendations, clarify institutional responsibilities and identify practical steps towards improving the safety of journalists and protecting civic participation in Nigeria.
