Democracy’s watchdog under threat

Every year on May 3, the world pauses to reflect on the indispensable role of a free, independent and pluralistic media. World Press Freedom Day is not merely symbolic; it is a solemn reminder of the ideals enshrined in the Windhoek Declaration. It is a bold affirmation by journalists that democracy cannot thrive without a […]

Every year on May 3, the world pauses to reflect on the indispensable role of a free, independent and pluralistic media. World Press Freedom Day is not merely symbolic; it is a solemn reminder of the ideals enshrined in the Windhoek Declaration. It is a bold affirmation by journalists that democracy cannot thrive without a vibrant press. More than three decades later, that declaration resonates with even greater urgency, as journalists across the globe confront unprecedented dangers, repression and existential threats.

The statistics are as chilling as they are instructive. The years 2024 and 2025 rank among the deadliest for journalists in modern history, with over 120 and 129 media professionals killed respectively. Conflicts in Gaza and Sudan have turned reporters into targets, not just witnesses. Since October 2023, more than 230 Palestinian journalists have reportedly lost their lives, while nearly half of all journalist killings in 2025 occurred in the Middle East. These grim figures underscore a troubling global reality: the truth is increasingly under siege, and those who pursue it are paying with their lives.

Yet, while these global tragedies demand attention, Nigeria’s own press freedom climate presents a deeply worrying narrative. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, journalists in the country are grappling with a surge in harassment, arbitrary arrests, detention and physical attacks. Since May 2023, over 231 such incidents have been recorded, implicating state security agencies and political actors alike. The pattern is disturbingly familiar as reporters covering protests are intimidated, investigative journalists are hounded, and dissenting voices are silenced through coercive tactics. Nigeria’s ranking of 122 out of 180 in the global media freedom index is an indictment of the current state of affairs.

These are not isolated incidents; they are symptomatic of a broader erosion of democratic norms. A society that undermines its journalists undermines its own capacity for accountability, transparency and justice. It is therefore not surprising that the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) have jointly called on President Bola Tinubu, state governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to take urgent, decisive action. Their demand is straightforward. They want them to safeguard press freedom, protect journalists and end the culture of impunity that emboldens perpetrators.

This call was amplified during a conference in Lagos, where stakeholders examined the media’s role in promoting citizens’ rights and access to justice amid rising insecurity. Journalists are not adversaries of the state; they are indispensable partners in nation-building. When they are silenced, society loses its most reliable mirror and its most effective watchdog.

Across the continent, the outlook is equally troubling. The Africa Media Development Foundation has warned that press freedom is deteriorating rapidly, with journalists increasingly exposed to violence, repression and systemic restrictions. Similarly, the De Gratia Centre for Media Rights and Education has urged governments to uphold constitutional guarantees and ensure the safety of media practitioners. These warnings should not be dismissed as routine advocacy; they are urgent alarms signalling a shrinking civic space and a growing hostility toward truth-telling.

In Nigeria, the challenges are compounded by worsening insecurity in states such as Benue, Borno, Plateau and Sokoto, where human rights abuses are rife and access to information is increasingly constrained. In such volatile environments, journalists perform a perilous yet indispensable duty of documenting realities that might otherwise remain hidden. To attack them is to deepen the darkness and embolden those who thrive in opacity.

Beyond physical threats, the Nigerian media industry is also battling a crippling economic crisis. The cost of newsprint, denominated in foreign exchange, has skyrocketed, placing enormous strain on newspapers. Broadcast stations, too, struggle to procure equipment due to currency constraints. Many media organisations can barely meet salary obligations, leading to declining morale, compromised integrity and a worrying exodus of skilled professionals. Newsrooms are thinning out, not because the work is less important, but because it is becoming increasingly unsustainable.

This economic fragility poses a subtle yet profound threat to press freedom. A financially weakened media cannot effectively challenge power or uphold ethical standards. It becomes vulnerable to external influence, self-censorship and sensationalism. The rise of untrained social media actors further complicates the landscape, flooding the information space with misinformation and eroding public trust in credible journalism.

Recognising these challenges, the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism has called for the establishment of a National Framework for Media Sustainability, Independence and Protection. This is not merely desirable; it is imperative. Such a framework would provide the structural support needed to insulate the media from economic shocks, political interference and security risks, while reinforcing professional standards in an era of rapid digital transformation.

At its core, the debate about press freedom is a debate about democracy itself. A free press is not a luxury; it is a necessity. It informs citizens, holds leaders accountable and fosters an environment where ideas can be contested without fear. Without it, governance becomes opaque, corruption flourishes and citizens are reduced to passive subjects rather than active participants.

Political and security leaders must therefore recognise a fundamental truth, which is the survival of Nigeria’s democracy is inextricably linked to the health of its media. Protecting journalists is not an act of charity; it is a constitutional obligation and a strategic imperative. Laws that guarantee freedom of expression must be enforced, not undermined. Perpetrators of attacks on journalists must be held accountable, not shielded.

As the world marks World Press Freedom Day, Nigeria stands at a critical juncture. The choices made today will determine whether the press remains a robust pillar of democracy or becomes a weakened institution struggling for relevance. The stakes could not be higher.

Defending press freedom is not just the responsibility of journalists; it is a collective duty. Government, civil society, the private sector and citizens must all play their part. For in the final analysis, a nation that fails to protect its press ultimately fails to protect its own future.