International Press Institute will fiercely resist further attacks on Nigerian journalists, says leadership

The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has declared that it will resist further attacks on journalists in the country emphasizing that the time had come to check the impunity, in going forward.

Penpushing reports that President of the Institute, Musikilu Mojeed, made the declaration on Tuesday in his welcome address at the 2025 International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria Conference and Annual General Meeting in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The President while calling for a review of laws that enable abuse, particularly the cybercrime and outdated criminal defamation provisions, emphasized on need by the government to address the culture of impunity in the country.

“There are too many centres of power routinely deploying state powers against journalists without consequences. When crimes against journalists go unpunished, the message is dangerous – that silencing the press is acceptable’, Mojeed added.

“But let us be clear, ladies and gentlemen, Journalism is a tough, risky and selfless public service. And if they get nothing for their sacrifices for society, they are at least deserve respect and protection. Therefore, any further attack on journalists will be fiercely resisted going forward’, he stated

Penpushing further reports that Mojeed, who referred to the falling of Nigeria by 10 places from 112 to 122 in the global Press Freedom Ranking, said the drop is not the result of one incident.

The President said it is the cumulative effect of consistent and aggressive repression across states, across platforms, and across newsrooms, adding that Nigeria is classified as one of West Africa’s most dangerous and difficult countries for journalists.

“This is not a beautiful portrayal of our country, but the description is not baseless. Journalists are monitored, attacked, and arbitrarily arrested: Completely lawful reporting activities (filming a demolition, covering a protest, documenting police misconduct) have become dangerous acts’, he stated.

“Media houses are shut down for political reasons: In Zamfara, four (4) broadcast stations (NTA, Pride FM, Gamji TV, and Al-Umma TV) were once closed simply for airing an opposition rally’, Mojeed said.

“Investigative journalists face targeted intimidation: We recall the harrowing experience of a colleague, Segun Olatunji, who was abducted, blindfolded, chained, and transported hundreds of kilometres away from his base for a controversial reporting’, he added.

“Online reporters are now frequent victims of cybercrime accusations: The cybercrime law, despite recent amendments, continues to be used to suppress digital journalism. Several journalists have been arrested or prosecuted under this legislation’.

“Journalists covering protests and elections remain extremely vulnerable: In August 2024 alone, at least fifty-six (56) journalists were assaulted or arrested while covering demonstrations across the country’.

“These are not abstractions. They have names, faces, and families. The pattern of repression is deepening, and the actors remain largely the same—state agents, political actors, and security operatives who operate with impunity.

‘This has been said before, and I will say it again: Journalism is not a crime. And journalists are not criminals. The Constitution protects freedom of expression. The courts have affirmed it’, he stated.

“But in practice, we continue to see arbitrary arrests, intimidation, censorship, and violence. To our colleagues across the country: This is not the time for apathy and isolation. We must act as a unified community’.

“When a journalist is arrested in Kano, colleagues in Akwa Ibom must care.When a newsroom is attacked in Niger State, reporters in Lagos must speak out. When a reporter disappears in Lagos, editors in Abuja must raise the alarm’.

“Solidarity is our greatest line of defence. The stakes are high. Independent journalism is the lifeblood of democracy. When the press is intimidated, elections lose credibility, governance becomes opaque, corruption flourishes, and citizens lose their voice’.

“We must not allow that to become Nigeria’s story. We therefore urge the Federal Government to call state governors, security agencies, other officials involved in impunity against media and journalists to order’.

“The government should ensure state governors, security agencies, and public officials stop the harassment of journalists: No democracy can function when those who hold power to account are shielded from scrutiny’.

“This administration should also strengthen mechanisms for journalist safety: Nigeria has no functioning state protection system for journalists. This must change’, the President emphasised

FOOTNOTE: You want to share story with us? You want to advertise with us? You need publicity for product, or service, or   event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348073463653 or email [email protected]