The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have jointly called on Nigerian authorities to guarantee press freedom and address the escalating insecurity in the country. In a statement released ahead of World Press Freedom Day on May 3, the groups warned that attacks on journalists and widespread human rights abuses are eroding democratic foundations.
Urgent Call for Action
The organizations urged President Bola Tinubu, state governors, and the Federal Capital Territory minister to take immediate steps to protect media workers and curb violence, particularly in northern Nigeria. They highlighted persistent killings, abductions, sexual violence, and forced displacement in states such as Benue, Plateau, Borno, Sokoto, and Kwara, characterizing the situation as a deepening governance and accountability crisis.
Media Freedom and Security
“Protecting journalists and safeguarding information integrity are central drivers of peace, security, and democratic stability,” the statement read. The groups warned that media repression fuels corruption, weakens accountability, and allows misinformation to thrive. They argued that the erosion of independent journalism directly contributes to insecurity, noting that “information violence often precedes physical violence” in conflict-affected areas.
SERAP and the NGE called for strengthened protection for journalists, improved access to reliable information, and reforms to ensure accountability for abuses, including thorough investigations and prosecution of perpetrators. They emphasized that Nigerian authorities have binding obligations under the 1999 Constitution and international treaties such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to protect freedom of expression and ensure justice for victims.
Demands for Reform
The groups also urged the government to adopt preventive and intelligence-led security measures, improve transparency in security operations, and provide compensation and support for victims of violence. They called on the National Assembly to hold a public hearing on insecurity and attacks on media freedom, and urged the international community to increase pressure on Nigerian authorities to end impunity and uphold human rights.
The joint statement underscores the critical role of a free press in maintaining democratic stability and the urgent need for decisive action to protect journalists and address the root causes of insecurity in Nigeria.
