The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has called on the federal government and security agencies to take urgent steps to end attacks, harassment and unlawful detention of journalists, demanding the prosecution of perpetrators to safeguard press freedom and democratic accountability.
The union also urged the authorities to strengthen legal protections for media practitioners and ensure that security agencies respect the constitutional right to freedom of expression and the press.
The NUJ made the demands in a statement issued on Monday by its National President, Alhassan Yahya, to mark the 2026 International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists.
The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists is observed yearly on November 2 to highlight attacks on journalists and the need to punish attackers.
The union expressed concern over persistent cases of intimidation, arbitrary arrests, physical assaults, cyberbullying and other forms of violence against journalists in Nigeria and across the world.
It warned that the failure to punish perpetrators of such crimes was creating an atmosphere of fear within the media industry, with serious implications for press freedom and democratic governance.
“Journalism remains the bedrock of any thriving democracy. It holds the powerful accountable, gives voice to the marginalised, and ensures the public’s fundamental right to accurate information,” the statement said.
NUJ stressed that the growing impunity surrounding crimes against journalists was weakening the rule of law and discouraging media professionals from performing their watchdog responsibilities.
“The impunity that surrounds crimes committed against journalists creates a chilling effect on democratic discourse and weakens the rule of law,” the NUJ stated.
Against this backdrop, the union called for thorough, independent and transparent investigations into reported cases of attacks, harassment and unlawful detention of journalists, insisting that those responsible must be brought to justice.
It also called on the government to enforce existing laws protecting journalists against arbitrary arrests, censorship and the misuse of security regulations to intimidate media workers.
The union urged security agencies to regard journalists as essential partners in democratic governance rather than adversaries, stressing the need to respect their constitutional responsibilities.
It further called on media organisations, civil society groups and international partners to establish safety protocols and emergency support networks for journalists, particularly those working in high-risk environments.
The NUJ also appealed to human rights organisations and members of the public to support efforts to guarantee a safe working environment for journalists.
“A threat to any journalist anywhere is a threat to democratic governance everywhere,” the union declared, insisting that no journalist should pay with their safety, freedom or life for reporting the truth.
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