In their latest Media Environment in Nigeria (MEiN) Report, members of the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) have restated the need to safeguard press freedom and ensure safety of journalists.

CEMESO Executive Director, Akin Akingbulu, expressed concern over increase in attacks on media freedom, press safety, and attacks on journalists in the country.

In the report, key findings include, 71.4 per cent of analysed media reports documented direct attacks on journalists and media personnel; at least, five incidents of attacks were recorded, including physical assaults, detention, assassination, and harassment; security agencies were identified as the main perpetrators of these incidents; 71 per cent of the victims were media professionals, while 29 per cent were from other sectors and only 14.3 per cent of reports covered judicial action addressing these attacks, highlighting a gap in legal responses.

Concerning media shutdown, he recalled on January 13, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Lagos State chapter shut down normal operations of Lagos Television, Eko FM/ Radio Lagos and Lagos Traffic Radio to protest the non-implementation of the N85,000 minimum wage.

In conclusion, he argued the alarming statistics underscore the urgent need to protect press freedom and ensure the safety of journalists.