The Netherlands envoy urges mutual respect between media, security agencies
The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) has raised the alarm over the persistent misuse of the Cybercrime Act and outdated criminal laws to stifle press freedom and civic expression in Nigeria, describing the trend as a serious threat to democracy and accountability.
The organisation stated this in Lagos, yesterday, during the public presentation of its 2024 media monitoring report titled, “Shrinking Freedoms: Journalism and Civic Space Status Report.”
The report, supported by the Kingdom of The Netherlands, analysed Nigerian media coverage of civic space infringement incidents between January and December 2024.
Executive Director of WSCIJ, Motunrayo Alaka, stated that the report provides an evidence-based assessment of Nigeria’s civic space, with a particular focus on press freedom, human rights, and public accountability.
She noted that although recorded violations declined slightly from 134 incidents in 2023 to 103 in 2024, the civic environment remains “fragile and unsafe” for journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens who speak truth to power.
Alaka said that the continued weaponisation of laws, especially the Cybercrime Act and provisions of the outdated Criminal Code, poses a grave danger to critical reporting and civic engagement. She, therefore, urged the government to reform these laws, investigate reported cases of harassment and violence, and take concrete steps to guarantee constitutional protections for press freedom.
In his goodwill message, Deputy Consul-General of the Kingdom of The Netherlands, Peter Keulers, commended WSCIJ for its consistent commitment to press freedom and civic protection. He stressed the need to rebuild trust between journalists and security agencies through dialogue and professional engagement.
The group, therefore, called on government, media organisations, and civil society groups to take urgent action to reverse the growing erosion of civic space in Nigeria and reaffirm citizens’ rights to speak, report, and participate freely in public life.
