By Chimezie Godfrey
The Centre for Information Technology and Development has called for urgent measures to safeguard press freedom and improve the welfare of journalists in Nigeria, warning that continued harassment and poor working conditions threaten the country’s democratic foundations.
In a statement to mark World Press Freedom Day, the organisation reiterated that a free, independent and vibrant media remains central to accountability, transparency and citizen participation in governance.
The statement, signed by the Executive Director, YZ Ya’u, expressed concern over what it described as increasing cases of harassment, arbitrary arrests, unlawful detention and intimidation of journalists across the country.
“A free and independent media remains essential to democracy, accountability and informed citizen participation. However, journalists across the country continue to face harassment and intimidation in the course of their work,” the organisation stated.
CITAD warned that such actions not only undermine democratic values but also erode public trust in institutions responsible for upholding the rule of law.
The group further expressed concern over what it termed growing repression of journalists by both state and non-state actors, noting that such violations run contrary to constitutional guarantees and international human rights standards.
“We strongly condemn these violations and call on authorities to respect and uphold press freedom as guaranteed by the Constitution and international frameworks,” Ya’u said.
Beyond issues of safety, CITAD highlighted the precarious working conditions faced by many journalists, including poor remuneration and lack of institutional protection, which it said expose media practitioners to undue influence and compromise their independence.
“Addressing these challenges is critical to strengthening Nigeria’s media landscape and ensuring that journalists can carry out their duties without fear or favour,” the statement added.
The organisation also drew attention to emerging threats in the digital space, noting that press freedom is increasingly intertwined with digital rights.
According to CITAD, restrictions such as censorship, surveillance and online harassment pose significant risks to both journalists and the broader public’s right to access information.
“In the digital era, the ability to access and share information freely online is central to civic engagement and knowledge dissemination. Any attempt to restrict this space undermines democratic participation,” Ya’u stated.
CITAD therefore called for immediate steps to end the harassment and detention of journalists, improve their welfare, and strengthen legal and institutional safeguards for digital rights.
“A society that silences its journalists risks weakening its democracy. We stand in solidarity with journalists across Nigeria,” the statement concluded.
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