Concerns over press safety have intensified as SERAP and the Nigeria Guild of Editors called on the Tinubu Government to urgently protect journalists facing rising threats linked to insecurity and intimidation. The Tinubu Government was specifically urged to strengthen accountability measures and ensure that attacks on media practitioners do not go unpunished, amid growing worries about press freedom in Nigeria.
The appeal to the Tinubu Government comes amid sustained advocacy by SERAP and NGE over what they describe as increasing risks faced by journalists in the course of their duties. These organisations have repeatedly raised concerns about harassment, intimidation, and attacks on media professionals across different parts of the country.
Nigeria’s press environment has continued to face scrutiny from civil society groups, particularly regarding the enforcement of constitutional protections for freedom of expression and access to information. The Tinubu Government has been called upon to reinforce institutional safeguards that protect journalists and uphold democratic accountability.
The issue is also linked to broader security challenges in the country, which have affected multiple sectors, including media operations in conflict-prone and high-risk areas.
SERAP and NGE, in their joint appeal, emphasised that the Tinubu Government must take concrete steps to address insecurity affecting journalists and ensure perpetrators of attacks are held accountable.
They urged federal and state authorities to investigate reported threats and enforce legal consequences against individuals or groups responsible for harassment or violence targeting media practitioners. The organisations stressed that failure to act would worsen the climate of impunity surrounding such cases.
The groups also referenced Nigeria’s constitutional guarantees on press freedom, noting that journalists are entitled to operate without fear of intimidation or obstruction. They maintained that the Tinubu Government has both a legal and moral obligation to safeguard these rights.
In their statement, SERAP and NGE highlighted that persistent attacks on journalists undermine public trust in governance and weaken democratic oversight. They warned that continued inaction could further erode the safety of media professionals and discourage investigative reporting.
The Tinubu Government was also urged to strengthen coordination between security agencies and media institutions to ensure rapid response to threats against journalists. The renewed call to the government underscores ongoing concerns about the state of press freedom and accountability mechanisms in Nigeria. Ensuring journalist safety is seen as essential to maintaining transparency and strengthening democratic institutions.
If addressed effectively, improved protection for journalists could enhance public access to information and support more robust investigative reporting. It may also improve Nigeria’s standing in global press freedom assessments. Failure to act decisively, however, could deepen concerns about impunity and discourage media engagement in sensitive public interest issues.
