World Press Freedom Day 2026: IPC-SPJ Hub Demands Stronger Protections for Journalists

… Unveils Report on ‘Unseen Enablers’ Threatening Media

By Joseph Sunday 

The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos, through its Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) Hub, joined the global commemoration of World Press Freedom Day 2026 today, calling for urgent action to safeguard journalists and uphold press freedom, according to a statement signed by IPC Press Freedom Officer, Melody Akinjiyan.

Akinjiyan pointed out that the day is observed annually on May 3 since its proclamation by the UN General Assembly in 1993, as World Press Freedom Day to remind governments worldwide of their duty to protect press freedom and ensure a safe environment for journalism.

In 2025, the IPC-SPJ Hub documented at least 23 attacks affecting 28 journalists and 2 media organizations in Nigeria.

The violations included threats to life, abductions, unlawful arrests, forced closures, physical assaults, intimidation, and one murder. 

The breakdown includes 23 male journalists, 3 female, 2 unspecified.

On mediums, the online media recorded 16 attacks, broadcast 10, and 1 for the print.

Speaking on the 2026 theme, IPC Executive Director, Mr Lanre Arogundade stressed that journalism remains “an essential force in amplifying marginalized voices, countering disinformation, and facilitating informed public discourse—key ingredients for sustainable peace and development.”

“At a time of conflicts, misinformation, and growing threats to civic space, the media’s role as a pillar of truth cannot be overstated,” Arogundade said. 

He warned that harassment, unlawful detention, violent attacks, and killings of journalists not only violate press freedom but also deny citizens access to credible information. “The safety of journalists must be prioritized by governments, security agencies, and all stakeholders.”

IPC urged renewed commitment to uphold constitutional guarantees of press freedom, strengthening legal protections for journalists, ensuring accountability for crimes against media professionals and promoting ethical, conflict-sensitive report to combat misinformation and hate speech 

The IPC used the opportunity to call on government institutions, civil society, media owners, and the international community to collaborate in building a media landscape that supports peace, justice, and inclusive development,” the statement read.

To mark the day, IPC, with support from the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX), launched a new publication titled “The Unseen Enablers.”

The report examines how non-state actors threaten journalist safety and press freedom in Nigeria by undermining access to information and news dissemination. It aims to deepen understanding of these challenges and drive collaborative solutions for a safer environment for journalism.