Press Freedom Under Threat As NHRC Demands Justice For Attacks On Journalists
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
As concerns grow over increasing attacks on journalists and shrinking civic spaces, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has warned that press freedom remains central to the survival of democracy in Nigeria.
Marking the 2026 World Press Freedom Day, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, called for zero tolerance against intimidation, harassment, unlawful arrests, assaults and killings targeting journalists and media organisations across the country.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Ojukwu described a free and independent press as “the lifeblood of any thriving democracy,” stressing that accountability, transparency and citizen participation flourish only where the media can operate freely.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria noted that press freedom is guaranteed under Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution and protected by international human rights instruments to which Nigeria is a signatory.
He expressed concern over persistent cases of attacks on journalists, warning that such violations create fear, encourage self-censorship and weaken democratic discourse.
The NHRC boss also revealed that the Commission has begun systematic documentation and tracking of press freedom violations in Nigeria, with findings to be made public to strengthen accountability and advocacy for journalists’ rights.
Ojukwu urged security agencies and government institutions to respect media freedom and ensure thorough investigations into all reported attacks on journalists, insisting that perpetrators must face justice.
“Silence in the face of attacks on journalists emboldens further violations and erodes public trust,” he stated.
He further encouraged journalists to uphold ethical standards while remaining steadfast in the pursuit of truth and public interest.
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