ActionAid Nigeria is a non-governmental organisation working to promote human rights, combat poverty and all forms of injustice in Nigeria.
Speaking in Abuja, the Country Director, Ene Obi, said: “Freedom of the press is one of the essential cornerstones of a democratic society. But, in Nigeria, there has been a consistent and dangerous attempt by both state and non-state actors to breach not only local and international statutes guaranteeing the essential freedom of expression but to expurgate and censure the media and journalists while doing their legitimate duties”.
The PTCIJ’s report also revealed that repression of the media and journalists in Nigeria ranges from physical attacks to arrests and detentions, unconstitutional legal proceedings, repressive laws and cyber-attacks, amongst others. In another recent report on Nigeria titled “Climate of Violence,” Reporters Without Borders ranked the country at 120th position in the 2021 World Press Freedom Index and stated that “Nigeria is now one of West Africa’s most dangerous and difficult countries for journalists, who are often spied on, attacked, arbitrarily arrested or even killed.”
ActionAid Nigeria urged the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission to review some of the stringent terms and conditions gagging or threatening press freedom and the rights to freedom of expression by citizens.