Press Freedom Day: Media leaders decry regulatory threats to independent journalism

Media executives, journalists, and advocates have raised concerns over increasing regulatory pressure and digital threats confronting independent journalism in Nigeria, calling for urgent measures to safeguard press freedom and strengthen the country’s media landscape.

The concerns were raised during a virtual roundtable organised by Safer-Media Initiative, marking World Press Freedom Day, under the theme “Shaping a Future at Peace: Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Development, and Security.”

World Press Freedom Day is observed annually on 3 May.

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Amid what participants described as a “steep decline” in global press freedom, the roundtable ended with a call to strengthen Nigeria’s media ecosystem against rising regulatory and digital threats.

The discussion highlighted recent tensions, including a directive by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) restricting personal opinions on air, which participants described as “strangulation rather than regulation”.

Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Safer-Media Initiative, Peter Iorter, in his opening remarks, expressed concern over what he described as creeping censorship in Nigeria’s media space.

He said: “Just last month, the NBC’s directive restricting the expression of opinions on air did not merely ignite debate—it raised serious concerns about creeping censorship and the shrinking space for independent journalism.

“It forces us to confront a critical question: where does regulation end and suppression begin? When journalism is free, safe, and sustainable, it acts as a firewall against conflict. But when it is constrained, the pillars of peace and human rights begin to crumble.”

Iorter stressed that the roundtable was not about celebrating an abstract concept of press freedom. “We are discussing the very survival of the media—and indeed, our democracy,” he said.

He emphasised the urgency of the theme in Nigeria’s current context, noting that the media faces mounting pressures amid deep polarisation, economic hardship, insecurity, and rapid technological shifts.

These challenges, he said, make conversations around press freedom even more critical as the country approaches the 2027 election cycle.

Referencing a report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Iorter noted a steady contraction of civic space globally, with a reported 48 per cent increase in attempts to restrict or control the media.

According to him, journalists continue to face violence within a climate of impunity, where 85 per cent of killings remain unsolved.

He added that the economic fragility of independent media is worsening, with over 54 per cent of global advertising revenue now concentrated on digital platforms.

Among the lead discussants, Professor Adeniyi of Baze University, Abuja, spoke on digital transformation and artificial intelligence, emphasising the need for the media to harness AI to strengthen information integrity rather than allow it to be used for surveillance or state-driven disinformation.

He observed that artificial intelligence is disrupting information ecosystems, with 40 per cent of users already using AI to create or modify content.

“These pressures have contributed to an estimated 63 per cent rise in self-censorship since 2012, driven by judicial intimidation, online harassment, economic strain, and fear of reprisals,” he noted.

The roundtable also noted findings from the 2026 World Press Freedom Index released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on 30 April, which show global press freedom at its lowest level in 25 years.

For the first time, more than half of the 180 countries and territories assessed fall into the “difficult” or “very serious” categories.

Nigeria ranked 112th out of 180 countries—an improvement from its 122nd position in 2025. Despite this progress, the country remains in the “difficult” category.

RSF evaluates countries based on five indicators: political context, legal framework, economic context, sociocultural context, and safety. Although Nigeria’s overall score has improved, performance across the indicators remains uneven, with little consistent progress.

While Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, laws such as the Cybercrime Act are often used to hinder investigative journalism.

Numerous cases of attacks and killings of journalists have been documented, yet responses remain fragmented, with limited accountability or remedies.

Adaora Onyechere Sydney-Jack, Executive Director of Gender Strategy Advancement International, addressed issues of pluralism, gender equality, and inclusion. She stressed that the media must reflect Nigeria’s diversity to enhance social cohesion.

Other contributors included Juliana Francis, Publisher of Security News Alert, who spoke on the intersection of press freedom, peace, and security.

She raised the question of how journalists can move beyond reporting conflict to actively support peacebuilding without being labelled unpatriotic or compromising their safety.

Abdullateef Abubakar Jos, Founder and Publisher of Solace Base, focused on media viability and economic sustainability, proposing alternative business models that could help local media operate independently of political patronage.

The roundtable attracted wide participation from media professionals across Nigeria.

World Press Freedom Day is observed annually on 3 May to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, assess its global state, and honour journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

It was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1993, following a recommendation by UNESCO.

The date commemorates the 1991 Windhoek Declaration, a statement by African journalists advocating for an independent and pluralistic press.