As Nigeria commemorates 26 years of unbroken civilian rule, the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) has raised concerns over the state of press freedom, lamenting that 70 per cent of recorded attacks on journalists are perpetrated by politicians and police officers.
Findings from the centre’s journalism and civic space status report further shows that 90 per cent of all recorded attacks on journalists occurred while they were discharging their professional duties.
According to a statement marking June 12 Democracy Day, signed by the Executive Director/CEO of WSCIJ, Motunrayo Alaka, the data reflects the entrenched complicity of state actors in suppressing press freedom.
“When institutions meant to uphold the law become perpetrators, public trust erodes, and democracy weakens,” Mrs Alaka said.
Democracy beyond the ballot
The centre emphasised that democracy must transcend elections and politicking to include accountability, freedom, equity, justice and development.
As part of activities to mark this year’s Democracy Day, the centre hosted a special edition of its Journalism and Society Conversation on 10 June, themed ‘Can Nigeria Deliver on its Promise of a Free Press?’.
Speakers at the event including: Bukky Shonibare of Invictus Africa; Lami Sadiq, former Head of Investigative Desk at Media Trust Ltd., and Bernard Akede, Head of Reportorial at News Central TV called for vigilance from civil society and the media to resist laws that erode press freedom and stifle public discourse.
“We honour the historic struggle for free and fair elections, and the courage of citizens who organise, and stand for the right to choose, question, and hold power to account. But democracy must mean more and as we reflect on 26 years of unbroken civilian rule, we must ask – Are our institutions stronger? Are our freedoms deeper? Is the press truly free? Are our citizens heard? A democracy that represses the press is a democracy in crisis.
“When journalists are intimidated, voices from the public sphere are ignored, dissent is suppressed, and the system ceases to be accountable. The Nigerian constitution is clear that the media must uphold the people’s right to know and serve as a check on power. Yet, these duties are continually undermined through harassment and censorship,” the statement noted.
Call for reform
At the Democracy Day event, WSCIJ made a strong call for reforms in law enforcement practices, greater government commitment to constitutional protections, support for embattled journalists, an end to coordinated smear campaigns, and stronger media and civil society engagement to resist repressive policies and advocate for press freedom.
It reaffirmed its belief that journalism remains a cornerstone of democracy, stressing that when journalists are safe, informed, and able to report without fear, citizens are better empowered to engage meaningfully with governance.
“Investigative reporting is democracy’s conscience. It exposes corruption, abuse, and regulatory failure and points the way to justice.”
The WSCIJ stressed that democracy must be nurtured, reformed, and protected; adding that it cannot thrive without a free press. This, it noted, requires integrity in leadership, vigilance from citizens, and a shared commitment from media and government.
It further reaffirmed its dedication to building a democracy that works for all through storytelling, civic dialogue, capacity building, and investigative journalism.
As the nation marked 12 June, the centre urged Nigerians to recommit to the practice and ideal of democracy, insisting that a Nigeria where truth thrives is both possible and worth fighting for.