The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has called for urgent reforms to safeguard press freedom in Nigeria as the global community marks 2026 World Press Freedom Day.
CISLAC Executive Director, Auwal Rafsanjani, made the call in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.
Rafsanjani said the commemoration aligned with this year’s UNESCO theme: “Shaping a Future of Peace: Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Development, and Security.”
He emphasised that a free and independent press remains 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 undermines democracy, fuels corruption, and weakens public trust in institutions.
He stressed the need for full compliance with the Freedom of Information Act, noting that the law guarantees citizens’ legitimate access to government-held information. Effective implementation of the Act, he said, would help debunk misinformation and disinformation while strengthening transparency and accountability.
Rafsanjani added that citizens who follow due process must be able to access government information without hindrance.
He further emphasised that press freedom must go beyond legal and political protections to include the material conditions of journalists. He called for improved wages, better working conditions, and enhanced living standards for media practitioners to enable them to uphold integrity, independence, and professionalism.
Rafsanjani expressed concern over the state of press freedom both globally and domestically. Citing the latest Reporters Without Borders report, he noted that press freedom worldwide had fallen to its lowest level in 25 years, with more than half of countries classified as having difficult or very serious conditions for journalists.
“In Nigeria, despite a slight improvement in ranking to 112th out of 180 countries, the media environment remains challenging,” he said.
The CISLAC boss 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 intimidate reporters.
He noted that weak accountability mechanisms have allowed perpetrators of attacks on journalists to act with impunity, leading to increased self-censorship and a shrinking civic space.
Rafsanjani urged the Nigerian government to review and amend laws that restrict press freedom, particularly those used to criminalise journalism, and to enact stronger legal protections for media practitioners. He called for prompt, independent, and transparent investigations into all attacks on journalists and the prosecution of offenders to end impunity.
He also advocated for the protection of editorial independence, media diversity, and the sustainability of independent journalism through supportive but non-intrusive policies. Additional measures he proposed include improved safety training on digital security, conflict-sensitive reporting, ethical journalism, and the establishment of early warning and rapid response mechanisms for journalists under threat.
Rafsanjani 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, promote responsible use of artificial intelligence in media, and protect journalists, especially in conflict zones.
He reaffirmed CISLAC’s commitment to legislative reforms, monitoring press freedom violations, and supporting journalists across the country.
Rafsanjani ended with a strong call: “A free press is not a luxury; it is a necessity for democracy, development, and peace.”
