Following recent publication in The Economist on decline of global press freedom, media professionals have called on African leaders to urgently change the narrative by safeguarding the continent’s press freedom.

Recall early this year, the Economist of London published a story titled, “as global press freedom dwindles, corrupt politicians rejoice.”

The editorial members of the magazine observed press freedom is in retreat worldwide and politicians who want to rob the public have an incentive to gag the press.

Media professionals who spoke with The Guardian include, Executive Director/ Chief Executive Officer Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), Motunrayo Alaka; Deputy Executive Director of Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Ayode Longe and Prof. Olunifesi Adekunle Suraj of Department of Mass Communication University of Lagos.

To Alaka, “what 0published is not new to us. At WSCIJ, we have 00done three reports on journalism and stifling0 of the civic space. People are speaking, but they are speaking in hush voices. The voices are getting less audible. We are moving from shout to whispers about holding the people in power accountable. Interestingly, investigative reporting is getting watery and lonely. Its scary because this is not a military system. It is a function of a growing system of repression in Nigeria and globally.”

As a way out she added, “African government must be seen to be accountable to the people.

This is where democracy thrives.”

Saying there is work to do in the area of safety of journalists, Alaka also suggested, “we must get to a place of zero tolerance for repression of press and the gatekeepers must lead this. The threat to freedom of expression and threat to freedom of the press is an existential threat. The vulnerable people in the society will suffer more when there is corruption. Corruption is the greatest crime against humanity. There should also be funds that ensures the sustainability of independent media. The government must lead it. The fundamentals of democracy require a thriving media. With the withdrawal of international donor fund, the media is struggling.”

Saying press freedom does not just decline of its own, Longe observed it is the politicians that by their actions and inaction shrink the civic space, including dwindling press freedom so that they can act with impunity where they should be held accountable.

To him, “they do this in their relationship with the media and in the performance of the legislative duties by those in government, especially those in parliament.”

Speaking further, he noted the legislators, who are essentially politicians have tried several times to curtail the reach of the press but for the vigilance, advocacy and pushback by the civil society.

Nigeria, he added, in the first place is a country without express press freedom yet, the little freedom that the press enjoys, politicians want to whittle down.

Preferring solutions, he advised, ‘the press can be free in Africa if the governments of African countries understand that the press is a vital sector of society that holds people accountable. Section 22 of Nigeria’s constitution says the media shall at all times be free to … uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people. This is in recognition of the important role that the media plays. African media, therefore, need express freedom to operate. A few countries have such provisions in their laws.

“African nations must, at the basic level ensure that perpetrators of attack on the media are not allowed to walk away freely for then impunity will thrive and the media will practice self-censorship. Those who attack the media should be held accountable, whether they are military, law enforcement agents, hoodlums, individuals, or politicians; it must be clearly demonstrated that nobody can attack the media and go free. This is not the case in most African countries, in short government agencies, especially those entrusted with the responsibility of protecting citizens, including journalists are the worst perpetrators,“ he stated.

In Media Rights Agenda’s 2025 report, titled, The Reign of Impunity, Longe also noted operatives of the Nigerian Police Force were responsible for perpetrating attacks in 41 of the 86 incidents of attacks on freedom of expression.

He concluded, “that is 47.86% of the total incidents, this is unacceptable.”

Speaking in a similar vein, Suraj advocated multi-stakeholder approach to address the issue.

To the don, European Union (EU), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Pressure groups and civil organisations hold he key to press freedom.

Saying African government naturally do not like critical press, he added there is also need for awareness on the part of the citizens.

He observed most citizens do not understand the connection between press freedom, freedom of expression and open society.

Suraj concluded, ‘it is when the citizens are well informed on the significance of the press when it comes to nation building that they can stand with the press.