Iloke Egbe
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called on the Federal Government, security agencies and relevant institutions to take decisive action against impunity for crimes committed against journalists, stressing the need to protect media professionals and uphold press freedom in the country.
The Union made the call in a statement issued by its National President, Alhassan Yahya, on Monday, November 2, 2026, to commemorate the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists.
The NUJ, while expressing solidarity with journalists across Nigeria and the world, reaffirmed its commitment to defending press freedom, protecting media practitioners and ensuring justice for those who have suffered intimidation, harassment, unlawful detention, physical assault and other forms of attacks in the course of their professional duties.
According to the Union, journalism remains a fundamental pillar of democracy, serving as an instrument of accountability, giving voice to the marginalised and ensuring citizens have access to accurate and credible information.
It, however, expressed concern that journalists in Nigeria and other parts of the world continue to face increasing threats, including arbitrary arrests, physical violence, cyberbullying, intimidation and other forms of persecution for carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.
The Union noted that the failure to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of crimes against journalists creates an atmosphere of fear, weakens democratic institutions, undermines the rule of law and encourages self-censorship among media practitioners.
To address the situation, the NUJ urged relevant authorities to ensure thorough, independent and transparent investigations into unresolved cases of attacks, harassment and unlawful detention of journalists, with a view to bringing perpetrators to justice. It also called for the enforcement of existing legal frameworks and the strengthening of protections against arbitrary arrests, censorship and administrative abuse, while urging security agencies to recognise journalists as essential partners in democratic governance rather than adversaries.
The Union further advocated for strong collaboration among government institutions, media organisations, civil society groups and international partners to establish effective safety mechanisms and emergency support networks for journalists operating in high-risk environments.
Reiterating the importance of press freedom to democratic development, the NUJ maintained that threats against journalists constitute a threat to democratic governance, calling on human rights organisations, civil society groups and members of the public to join the campaign for a safe and enabling environment for media professionals.
The statement stressed that no journalist should have to sacrifice personal safety, freedom or life for reporting the truth.
The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists is observed annually on November 2 to draw global attention to the dangers faced by journalists and the need to ensure accountability for crimes committed against media professionals.
No comments:
Post a Comment