The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has called for urgent reforms to safeguard press freedom in Nigeria as the global community commemorates World Press Freedom Day 2026.
In a statement signed by CISLAC’s Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the organisation said it aligns with this year’s UNESCO theme, “Shaping a Future of Peace: Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Development, and Security.” It emphasised that a free and independent press remains central to democratic governance, accountability, and national development.
Rafsanjani described the media as a watchdog of public interest and a vital tool for exposing corruption, amplifying citizens’ voices, and supporting informed decision-making. He warned that any restriction on press freedom undermines democracy, fuels corruption, and weakens public trust in institutions.
He further stressed the importance of full compliance with the Freedom of Information Act, noting that the law guarantees citizens legitimate access to government-held information.
According to him, effective implementation of the law would go a long way in debunking misinformation and disinformation while strengthening transparency and accountability. He added that citizens who follow due process must be able to access government information without undue obstruction.
CISLAC also emphasised that press freedom must go beyond legal and political protections to include the material conditions of journalists. Rafsanjani noted that journalists should be able to carry out their work professionally and not in conditions of poverty or economic hardship.
He called for improved wages, better working conditions, and enhanced living standards for media practitioners, stressing that such measures are essential to enabling journalists to maintain integrity, independence, and professionalism in their work.
The organisation raised concerns about the state of press freedom globally and domestically. Citing the latest report by Reporters Without Borders, it noted that press freedom worldwide has dropped to its lowest level in 25 years, with more than half of countries now classified as having difficult or very serious conditions for journalists.
In Nigeria, despite a slight improvement in ranking to 112th out of 180 countries, the media environment remains challenging. CISLAC highlighted recurring incidents of harassment, arbitrary arrests, and physical attacks on journalists, often involving security agencies.
The statement also pointed to the misuse of laws such as the Cybercrimes Act and defamation provisions to detain or intimidate reporters, alongside political interference, surveillance of investigative journalists, and economic pressures that threaten media independence.
The organisation further noted that weak accountability mechanisms have allowed perpetrators of attacks on journalists to operate with impunity, leading to increased self-censorship and a shrinking civic space.
CISLAC called on the Nigerian government and relevant stakeholders to review and amend laws that restrict press freedom, particularly provisions used to criminalise journalism, and to enact stronger legal protections for media practitioners.
It urged authorities to ensure prompt, independent, and transparent investigations into all attacks on journalists and to prosecute offenders regardless of affiliation in order to end impunity and build public confidence.
Rafsanjani also stressed the need to safeguard editorial independence, protect media diversity, and address economic challenges affecting the sustainability of independent journalism through supportive but non-intrusive policies.
He called for improved safety measures, including training on digital security, conflict-sensitive reporting, and ethical journalism, as well as the establishment of early warning and rapid response mechanisms for journalists under threat.
CISLAC further emphasised the importance of fostering a culture of openness and transparency in governance, urging full implementation of the Freedom of Information Act.
It also called for stronger collaboration among civil society, media organisations, government institutions, and the private sector to create an enabling environment for journalism to thrive as a partner in development.
The organisation urged Nigeria to support international efforts to combat disinformation, ensure the responsible use of artificial intelligence in media spaces, and protect journalists, particularly in conflict situations, while engaging actively in global initiatives tied to the World Press Freedom Day theme.
CISLAC reaffirmed its commitment to promoting legislative reforms, monitoring press freedom violations, and supporting journalists across Nigeria, while expressing solidarity with media professionals worldwide who continue to risk their lives in pursuit of truth and accountability.
“A free press is not a luxury; it is a necessity for democracy, development, and peace,” the statement said, urging renewed commitment to defending press freedom,” it said.
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