The 2024 State of Attacks Against Journalists in Nigeria has identified security operatives as the highest perpetrators of attacks against journalists in the country.
The report, which was produced by the International Press Centre (IPC), disclosed that security operatives, who are supposed to enhance the safety of journalists, account for 62% of the total attacks against journalists.
The report was presented at a media stakeholders’ roundtable organized by the IPC, in collaboration with the Association of Communication Scholars & Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) and supported by IFEX, to mark the 2025 World Press Freedom Day.
At the roundtable themed “Artificial Intelligence, The Media & Press Freedom: Issues & Perspectives,” Melody Akinjiyan, IPC’s Press Freedom Officer, presented the report’s findings, highlighting ongoing threats to Nigerian journalists.
The report documented a pattern of harassment, intimidation, and physical attacks, threat, arrest/detention, destruction of journalists’ property, prevention of coverage, hacking of social media/equipment, with law enforcement and security personnel topping the list of aggressors.
The report revealed that 70 journalists were attacked with more than 50% of attacks influenced by duty bearers and executed by security operatives.
Journalists were also attacked by some unknown persons, armed robbers anti-protesters and bandits.
Online media personnel faced the highest number of attacks, with 25 incidents, indicating that digital journalists are particularly vulnerable. Broadcast media followed closely with 18 attacks, suggesting that radio and television journalists also face significant risks. Print media experienced fewer attacks, with 10 incidents, while 17 attacks were reported without specifying the media type.
Akinjiyan emphasised the enormous difficulties that journalists and other media professionals continue to face in Nigeria require urgent attention.
According to Akinjiyan, “the data for the report was gathered through a robust methodology that combined desk and field monitoring, victim interviews, and verification from media organisations and professional bodies.
“Incidents were collated by volunteer monitors across the country’s geopolitical zones, ensuring a broad and credible snapshot of press freedom violations in 2024.”
Olutoyin Ayoade, IPC’s Communications Manager, in her welcome address delivered on behalf of IPC’s Executive Director, Mr Lanre Arogundade, emphasized the urgency of the roundtable’s focus, stating that Artificial Intelligence continues to transform the information ecosystem globally.
“It is imperative that we interrogate its implications for press freedom, journalism practice, and journalistic integrity, particularly within the Nigerian context,” she noted.
In his presentation, Dr. Monday Ashibogwu, the Managing Editor of Quick News, explained that without a proper policy framework, AI can pose a threat to press freedom and media integrity in the country.
He said, “to harness the benefits of AI while mitigating its threats to press freedom and media integrity a balanced approach is required, with a focus on transparency, ethical practices, and robust regulatory safeguards.”
Dr Ashibogwu charged the media regulatory bodies like the Nigeria Press Council, Nigeria Union of Journalists and Nigeria Guild of Editors to develop a National AI Policy for the Media, which other media organizations can draw from.
According to him, this approach would help to address the dangers and threats of AI proactively, while ensuring it is being used ethically.
Dr. Ganiyat Tijani-Adenle, from the Lagos State University, who addressed AI’s intersection with media and the increasing vulnerabilities journalists face in a digital era, charged media stakeholders to invest in digital safety training for journalists and continuous media and information literacy training.
Supported by IFEX, the global freedom of expression network, the roundtable brought together stakeholders from the media, academia, and civil society.
The event culminated in a collaborative session where stakeholders contributed to an action plan to advocate for better protections and shape policies addressing both AI’s impact and the broader press freedom landscape in Nigeria.