The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has launched a new initiative aimed at strengthening independent media and promoting human rights reporting as concerns mount over shrinking civic space and growing pressure on independent voices in Nigeria.

The initiative, tagged “Make It Count,” was unveiled in Abuja at a stakeholders’ meeting attended by journalists, civil society organisations, government officials and development partners.

Speaking at the event, CHRICED Executive Director, Dr Ibrahim Zikirullahi, said the project was conceived in response to increasing threats to media independence and the need to protect citizens’ voices in a democratic society.

He said the initiative would empower journalists, citizen reporters and community storytellers to amplify the voices of ordinary Nigerians, particularly women, youths, persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups.

“Today, we meet at a defining moment in our nation’s history when independent voices are increasingly under pressure, yet citizens are demanding greater transparency, accountability and respect for human rights.

“The ‘Make It Count’ Project is our contribution to building a stronger and more resilient media landscape that gives voice to women, youths, persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups,” Zikirullahi said.

He described the project as the beginning of a broader movement to strengthen independent media, safeguard civic space and promote a future anchored on truth, justice and accountability.

According to him, democracy cannot thrive without a free press, while human rights cannot be protected without fearless reporting and sustained accountability.

He urged government institutions, media organisations, civil society groups and development partners to work collectively to preserve civic space and ensure citizens have access to credible information.

Also speaking, Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr Anthony Ojukwu, represented by the Commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Fatima Mohammed, said ethical storytelling has become increasingly important as Nigeria grapples with insecurity, inequality, misinformation and shrinking civic space.

She noted that journalists remain indispensable partners in advancing human rights, social justice, accountability and sustainable development.

“Ethical storytelling has become a powerful tool for promoting human rights, social justice, accountability and sustainable development,” she said.

Delivering the keynote address, activist Owei Lakemfa said editorial independence remained under pressure in both public and privately owned media organisations.

He observed that while government-owned media often face official influence, privately owned media may also contend with political and commercial interests of their proprietors.

“Media independence is relational. It is multidimensional. It is not something that is fixed,” Lakemfa said.

He warned that despite Nigeria’s vibrant media landscape, persistent threats to press freedom require urgent attention through stronger protection for journalists and greater commitment by all stakeholders to defending independent journalism.