Press Freedom Day: SERAP, NGE Urge Tinubu, Governors To Protect Journalists

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP and the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE have urged the Federal Government and state governors to take urgent steps to protect journalists and address insecurity and impunity across the country.
The groups also called on the government of President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyseom Wike, to ensure press freedom and put an end to the rising insecurity and widespread human rights violations in many parts of northern Nigeria.
In a joint statement issued on Sunday in Lagos to mark World Press Freedom Day, they made the call.
The statement came after a conference and interactive session on “the Role of the Media in Promoting People’s Rights, Accountability, and Access to Justice in the Context of Growing Insecurity in Nigeria”, held on Saturday at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja.
SERAP and NGE said, “Protecting journalists and safeguarding information integrity are central drivers of peace, security and democratic stability.
“Any credible peace, recovery, and security strategy in Nigeria must include support for free, independent and pluralistic media alongside humanitarian, institutional and economic responses.
“Deep concern at the scale and persistence of killings, abductions, sexual violence, forced displacement and destruction of property in some parts of northern Nigeria.”
“They said these patterns show systematic failures to prevent foreseeable harm, protect communities, investigate violations, prosecute perpetrators and their sponsors, and ensure access to justice and effective remedies for victims.
“Such serious violations are serious violations of Nigeria’s obligations under the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a State Party.
The humanitarian consequences continue to be grave, with communities destroyed, livelihoods lost and victims without effective remedy. “The continued impunity continues to undermine public trust and weaken democratic governance,” the statement said.
The groups said the Nigerian authorities at all levels have constitutional and international obligations to protect journalists and end insecurity.
They said the Tinubu administration, state governors and the FCT minister must “exercise due diligence to prevent, investigate and remedy human rights violations, including by ensuring justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators and their sponsors.”
They also noted that the 2026 World Press Freedom Day Conference theme, “Shaping a Future of Peace,” set by UNESCO, highlights the critical role of free and independent media to peace and development.
The groups warned that “information violence often precedes physical violence,” and stressed that protecting journalists is essential to addressing insecurity and strengthening democracy.
They recalled that Section 22 of the Nigerian Constitution mandates the media to hold the government accountable, while Section 39 guarantees freedom of expression.
SERAP and the NGE called on the authorities to ensure press freedom, protect the civic space and ensure prompt, independent investigations of violations, including prosecution of offenders and payment of compensation to victims.
They also called for increased transparency in security operations and the establishment of public reporting systems to monitor incidents, and for cooperation with international entities, including UN and African Commission rapporteurs, to investigate human rights abuses.
The groups also urged the National Assembly to use its oversight powers to hold a public hearing on insecurity and attacks on journalists.
They also called on the international community to increase pressure on Nigerian authorities to take concrete measures to stop insecurity and impunity.
At the event, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) stated that, “In many parts of the north, entire communities are being wiped out and the perpetrators are operating with little or no consequences. “Impunity is not simply an absence of justice—it is a driver of further violence.”
“Any government that cannot protect its people or refuses to hold perpetrators accountable undermines its own legitimacy, he said. Journalists are not the enemy of the State – they are vital partners in exposing abuse, preventing violence, and strengthening democracy.”
The event was attended by senior media professionals, civil society organisations and other stakeholders, who pledged commitment for promoting the implementation of the recommendations.
World Press Freedom Day 2026 takes place on May 3. This year’s theme is the vital role of independent journalism, the safety of journalists and the impact of artificial intelligence on the integrity of information.
For a better world.