The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has issued a strong warning to state actors, vowing to "fiercely resist" any further attacks on journalists in the country, especially those operating in the digital space, reports ITREALMS.
The resolve was declared by Mr. Musikilu Mojeed, President of IPI Nigeria, in his welcome address at the 2025 IPI Nigeria Conference and Annual General Meeting in Abuja.
The conference, attended by high-ranking officials including Vice President Kashim Shettima and Minister of Information Mohammed Idris, focused heavily on the escalating threats against media freedom, particularly through the misuse of technology-related legislation.
The conference, attended by high-ranking officials including Vice President Kashim Shettima and Minister of Information Mohammed Idris, focused heavily on the escalating threats against media freedom, particularly through the misuse of technology-related legislation.
Mojeed emphasized that the Cybercrime Act, despite recent amendments intended to protect digital rights, continues to be weaponized against online reporters and digital journalists.
He stated clearly that "Online reporters are now frequent victims of cybercrime accusations," asserting that "The cybercrime law, despite recent amendments, continues to be used to suppress digital journalism. Several journalists have been arrested or prosecuted under this legislation."
He urgently called for a comprehensive review of existing laws that enable such systemic abuse, particularly targeting the specific provisions within the Cybercrime Act and the outdated criminal defamation statutes.
He urgently called for a comprehensive review of existing laws that enable such systemic abuse, particularly targeting the specific provisions within the Cybercrime Act and the outdated criminal defamation statutes.
Mojeed described the unchecked deployment of state powers against journalists as a dangerous sign that "silencing the press is acceptable," a practice driven by too many centers of power routinely acting against the media without consequences.
The IPI President cited the gravity of the situation by pointing to Nigeria's recent decline in global standing, noting the country's drop by 10 places, from 112 to 122, in the global Press Freedom Ranking.
The IPI President cited the gravity of the situation by pointing to Nigeria's recent decline in global standing, noting the country's drop by 10 places, from 112 to 122, in the global Press Freedom Ranking.
This alarming movement, he explained, is not the result of a single isolated incident, but rather the "cumulative effect of consistent and aggressive repression across states, across platforms, and across newsrooms."
This trend, he added, has unfortunately resulted in Nigeria being classified as one of West Africa’s most dangerous and difficult countries for journalists. This deepening pattern of repression is visible through multiple serious incidents across the country. Investigative journalists, for instance, face severe Targeted Intimidation, which includes abduction, citing the harrowing experience of a colleague who was blindfolded, chained, and transported hundreds of kilometers away for controversial reporting.
Furthermore, even lawful reporting activities, such as filming demolitions, covering protests, or documenting police misconduct, have become dangerous acts, as journalists are frequently subjected to Digital Monitoring, arbitrary attack, and arrest.
The scope of this repression is not just physical; the digital domain has become a new front, with Digital Assaults remaining prevalent—in August 2024 alone, at least 56 journalists were assaulted or arrested while covering demonstrations across the country.
Mojeed stressed emphatically that Journalism is not a crime and urged the Federal Government to take immediate and concrete steps to decisively address the pervasive culture of impunity that shields perpetrators.
Mojeed stressed emphatically that Journalism is not a crime and urged the Federal Government to take immediate and concrete steps to decisively address the pervasive culture of impunity that shields perpetrators.
He called for collective action, telling his colleagues, "Solidarity is our greatest line of defence. We must act as a unified community," urging them to care and speak out immediately when any journalist is attacked, regardless of their location, recognizing that independent journalism is the lifeblood of democracy.
Accordingly, he presented two key demands to the government: first, to Stop Harassment by compelling state governors, security agencies, and public officials to cease the harassment of journalists; and second, to Strengthen Safety Mechanisms by establishing a functional state protection system for journalists, noting that Nigeria currently has none.
The address concluded on a somber yet inspiring note, honoring the legacy of IPI Nigeria's former Treasurer, Rafat Salami, who passed away after a life of exceptional commitment to the profession, announcing that the IPI Nigeria National Committee will endow a prize in her name at the University of Abuja to inspire young journalists to live by her values of integrity, courage, and selfless service.
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