The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has called for urgent reforms to safeguard press freedom in Nigeria as the global community commemorates 2026 World Press Freedom Day.
The Executive Director, CISLAC, Auwal Rafsanjani, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen on Monday in Abuja.
Rafsanjani said the commemoration aligned with this year’s theme set by UNESCO, “Shaping a Future of Peace: Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Development, and Security.”
He emphasised that a free and independent press remained 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 undermine democracy, fuel corruption, and weaken public trust in institutions.
He further stressed the importance of full compliance with the Freedom of Information Act, noting that the law guaranteed citizens legitimate access to government-held information.
According to him, effective implementation of the law will 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 hinderance.
He 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 were essential to enabling journalists to maintain integrity, independence, and professionalism in their work.
Rafsanjani raised concerns about the state of press freedom globally and domestically.
Citing the latest report by Reporters Without Borders, he noted that press freedom worldwide had 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, in spite of a slight improvement in ranking to 112th out of 180 countries, the media environment remains challenging,” he said.
The executive director highlighted recurring incidents of harassment, arbitrary arrests, and physical attacks on journalists, often involving security agencies.
He also pointed to the misuse of laws such as the Cybercrimes Act and defamation provisions to detain or intimidate reporters.
He further noted that weak accountability mechanisms had allowed perpetrators of attacks on journalists to operate with impunity, thereby leading to increased self-censorship and a shrinking civic space.
The CISLAC boss called on the Nigerian government to review and amend laws that restrict press freedom, particularly provisions used to criminalise journalism, and to enact stronger legal protections for media practitioners.
He 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.
He emphasised the importance of fostering a culture of openness and transparency in governance, urging full implementation of the Freedom of Information Act.
Rafsanjani 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.
He 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.
He reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to promoting legislative reforms, monitoring press freedom violations, and supporting journalists across Nigeria.
He urged renewed commitment to defending press freedom saying, “A free press is not a luxury; it is a necessity for democracy, development, and peace.”
