The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called on the Federal Government, security agencies and other relevant institutions to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of crimes against journalists, warning that impunity threatens press freedom and democratic governance.

The union made the call yesterday in a statement by its National President, Alhassan Yahya, to mark the 2026 International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, observed globally on November 2.

It expressed concern over what it described as persistent intimidation, unlawful arrests, physical attacks, cyberbullying, and other forms of harassment targeting journalists in Nigeria and other parts of the world.

According to the NUJ, the failure to bring perpetrators of attacks against journalists to justice creates an atmosphere of fear, encourages self-censorship and undermines the public’s right to accurate information.

It said journalism remained essential to democratic governance because of its role in holding those in authority accountable, amplifying the voices of marginalised groups and providing citizens with information needed to make informed decisions.

The union urged government agencies to ensure independent and transparent investigations into reported cases of attacks, harassment and unlawful detention of journalists, stressing that those found culpable should face prosecution.

It also called for stronger enforcement of existing legal protections against arbitrary arrests, censorship and the misuse of security regulations to intimidate media professionals.

The NUJ further urged law enforcement and security agencies to recognise journalists as essential partners in democratic governance rather than adversaries, while calling for collaboration among media organisations, civil society groups and international partners to establish effective safety measures and emergency support systems for journalists working in high-risk environments.

Reaffirming its commitment to defending press freedom and protecting media workers, the union said threats against journalists undermined democratic institutions and the rule of law.

It called on civil society organisations, human rights groups and citizens to support efforts to ensure that journalists could perform their duties without fear or intimidation.

The statement added: “No journalist should pay with their safety, freedom, or life for reporting the truth.”