The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has called on the Federal Government to urgently comply with a February 16, 2024 judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which ordered authorities to investigate, prosecute, and punish those responsible for attacks on journalists and media practitioners, as well as take steps to prevent future incidents.
The group expressed concern that more than two years after the ruling, the government has yet to act, warning that the delay is fostering a culture of impunity and encouraging continued violations against media professionals.
In a statement marking World Press Freedom Day, MRA’s Programmes Officer, Ayomide Eweje, described the state of press freedom in Nigeria as troubling, citing increasing cases of harassment, intimidation, and unlawful arrests of journalists by security agencies and other state actors.
According to her, journalists reporting on governance, corruption, and accountability issues are frequently subjected to threats, arbitrary detention, and sometimes physical attacks—developments she said not only violate their rights but also undermine the public’s right to access information.
Eweje recalled that the court, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, granted multiple reliefs in a suit filed against the Attorney-General of the Federation by lawyer Mojirayo Ogunlana on behalf of MRA. The judgment directed the government to ensure accountability for attacks on journalists and provide effective remedies for victims.
She noted that the continued lack of enforcement has emboldened perpetrators, weakened confidence in the rule of law, and allowed violations to persist unchecked.
The organisation also raised concerns over the misuse of laws such as the Cybercrime Act, which it said is often deployed to silence journalists, bloggers, and media platforms under the guise of national security or protecting public officials.
Beyond legal challenges, MRA highlighted the economic difficulties facing media organisations, including declining revenues and increasing political and commercial pressures, which it said are undermining editorial independence and limiting investigative journalism.
Reaffirming the importance of a free and independent press, the group urged the government to end harassment and unlawful detention of journalists, ensure transparent investigations into attacks, and amend laws that conflict with constitutional and international standards on freedom of expression.
MRA further called for full implementation of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, improved transparency in media regulation, and a more enabling environment for independent journalism.
It also urged security agencies, regulators, and political actors to respect press freedom, particularly during elections and public interest reporting.
Commending journalists across Nigeria, the organisation praised their resilience and dedication despite challenging conditions, noting that their work remains vital to safeguarding democratic values and citizens’ rights.
