World Press Freedom Day 2025: Is Nigeria’s Press Truly Free?
A Press Under Pressure
As the world marks World Press Freedom Day on May 3, 2025, Nigeria stands at a crossroads. The theme, “Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media,” underscores technology’s role in journalism. Yet, Nigerian journalists face a deeper struggle. Beyond AI’s influence, they navigate legal, political, and physical threats that question the press’s freedom.
Nigeria’s media has a storied past. Journalists once challenged colonial rule and military regimes with bold reporting. Today, they face new obstacles. The Cybercrimes Act of 2015, meant to curb cyber threats, is often misused. Authorities use it to arrest reporters for critical stories, stifling investigative work.
Real-World Repression
Examples abound. In March 2024, activist Abdulganiu Olushipo was detained for posting about local government mismanagement. Labeled a cyberstalker, his arrest sparked protests. Similarly, Galaxy Television’s Dele Fasan endured violence in February 2024. While covering a labor protest, soldiers assaulted him and deleted his footage. His press ID offered no shield.
The data is stark. The Media Foundation for West Africa reported Nigeria led with 12 of 39 press freedom violations in West Africa in late 2023. Journalists covering events like the Edo State governorship primary faced attacks from thugs. Even courtrooms turn hostile. In Niger State, reporters on a murder trial were threatened by defendants.
Economic and Digital Challenges
Beyond violence, economic woes plague the press. Many journalists work without steady pay, making them prone to coercion. X posts reveal media houses, often tied to government figures, prioritize profit over truth. This weakens the press’s ability to challenge power.
AI brings both promise and peril. It can aid reporting by analyzing data or detecting corruption patterns. Fact-checking platforms could curb misinformation, a major issue in Nigeria. Yet, AI risks amplify threats. Governments might use it for surveillance, tracking journalists’ moves. Deepfakes could erode trust in media. Without regulation, AI may worsen existing challenges.
Global Context and Local Resilience
Globally, Nigeria lags. The 2024 World Press Freedom Index ranked it 112th of 180 nations, behind Togo. Elections, like 2023’s, often spark violence against reporters. UNESCO notes AI’s dual role: it can spread information but also enable censorship if misused.
Still, Nigerian journalists persist. Outlets like The Punch expose corruption despite risks. Civil society pushes for Cybercrimes Act reforms. UNESCO’s 2025 workshops aim to equip media with ethical AI tools. These steps offer hope, but systemic change is needed.
A Path Forward
Securing press freedom demands action. The Cybercrimes Act must be revised to stop its abuse. Law enforcement needs training to respect journalists, not harass them. Independent media requires funding to stay autonomous. AI governance is crucial to ensure it empowers reporters, not endangers them.
World Press Freedom Day 2025 is a call to act. Nigeria’s press, though battered, endures. Journalists risk all to inform the public, echoing the spirit of the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano Prize, honoring those defending press freedom. Named for a slain Colombian journalist, it highlights the stakes.
Nigeria faces a choice: use AI to strengthen media or let it become a tool of control. Citizens must support truthful outlets. Governments must uphold press freedom, as urged by the UN in 1993. The road is tough, but Nigeria’s journalists, backed by global allies, light the way.
