A comprehensive report from the IPC-SPJ Hub has revealed that the number of reported attacks on journalists in Nigeria increased to 45 in 2024, with 70 journalists and three media outlets impacted.
The report was released in observance of the 2025 World Press Freedom Day, themed: “Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Press Freedom and the Media.”
As the safety and protection branch of the International Press Centre, Lagos, the IPC-SPJ Hub stressed the urgent need for improved protection measures for journalists.
The report indicated that 40 male journalists and five female journalists were victims of these attacks, while the genders of 25 other affected journalists were not specified. Security personnel were found to be the most frequent perpetrators, responsible for 28 incidents.
Other alleged perpetrators included six unknown persons or gunmen, five thugs, two armed robbers, one anti-protester, one armed youth, a bandit, and a private security guard.
The report highlighted that over 50% of the attacks were linked to duty bearers, primarily carried out by security forces, raising significant concerns about press freedom in Nigeria.
It further detailed that 10 attacks involved print media, 18 affected broadcast media, and 25 targeted online media outlets, though the type of media was unspecified in 17 cases.
Journalists in Nigeria face numerous security challenges, including unlawful arrests, abductions, premises invasions, physical assaults leading to injuries, prolonged detentions, robbery, harassment, gunshot injuries, confiscation of personal items and equipment, vandalism, threats to life, and disruption of live broadcasts. Some journalists have also been barred from covering public events.
To mitigate these risks, the IPC-SPJ Hub recommends increased inter-agency collaboration between media organizations, regular safety training for journalists (covering topics like media laws, conflict-sensitive reporting, and risk analysis), and the use of AI tools for secure communications.
The report also advocates for psycho-social support, legal assistance for affected journalists, and strengthening media advocacy bodies. Additionally, the need for continued engagement with government and security agencies on press freedom concerns was emphasized.
The report stressed the importance of providing safety equipment and emergency funds for journalists under attack and fostering improved cooperation between media NGOs and professional groups. It called for advocacy efforts such as monitoring attacks, dialogues with security forces, media law reforms, and campaigns to promote journalist safety.
Finally, the report emphasized the need for international collaboration on safety resources and decision-making, reinforcing the importance of a multi-pronged approach to enhance press freedom and the safety of journalists in Nigeria.
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