As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark the 2026 International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, media professionals and stakeholders have called for stronger protection of journalists and an end to attacks against media workers.

They stressed that press freedom must go beyond constitutional provisions to guarantee the safety of journalists who gather and report information in the public interest.

The stakeholders made the call while highlighting the dangers confronting media practitioners and the need to ensure that crimes against journalists do not go unpunished.

The International Day, observed every November 2, draws attention to the risks faced by journalists and the need for accountability for attacks against them.

This year’s theme, “Safety of Journalists in Crisis and Emergencies,” underscores the dangers journalists encounter while covering conflicts, emergencies and other sensitive issues.

In Nigeria, concerns persist over the harassment, arbitrary arrest, detention and prosecution of journalists, particularly when their reports scrutinise the activities of powerful individuals.

The use of provisions of the Cybercrime Act against journalists has also raised concerns about the potential restriction of investigative reporting and freedom of expression.

A broadcast journalist, Ayodeji Moradeyo, said the safety of journalists was essential to the survival of democracy, calling for an environment where media practitioners could perform their duties without fear.

Steve Ovirih, a frontline journalist, stressed that media practitioners must be allowed to discharge their constitutional responsibilities without intimidation or unlawful interference.

Also speaking, public affairs analyst, Lekan Olajobi, said attacks on journalists have wider implications for society, as they weaken access to credible information and undermine citizens’ ability to hold public officials accountable.

Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria recognises the responsibility of the mass media to hold the government accountable to the people.

The stakeholders emphasised that protecting journalists is not a favour to the media but an investment in democracy, transparency and the citizens’ right to know.