Arthur Richard
As the world celebrates World Press Freedom Day, concerns are growing over the erosion of media freedom in Nigeria. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) are hosting a press conference to highlight the growing threat to peaceful dissent and media freedom in the country.
Titled “Unchecked Injustice: How Authorities Are Weaponizing the Cybercrime Act to Stifle Peaceful Dissent and Media Freedom in Nigeria,” the event will take place on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at the Radisson Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos. The conference aims to shed light on the misuse of the Cybercrime Act and its chilling effect on journalists, activists, and citizens.
The Cybercrime Act has been criticized for its potential to stifle free speech and muzzle the media. SERAP and NGE argue that authorities are using the Act to silence critics, suppress dissenting voices, and undermine media freedom. The press conference will provide a platform for experts, journalists, and activists to share their experiences and insights.
SERAP, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting transparency and accountability, has been at the forefront of advocating for human rights and media freedom in Nigeria. The organization’s work has earned it several awards and nominations, including the Wole Soyinka Anti-Corruption Defender Award in 2014.
The Nigerian Guild of Editors, as the umbrella body of Nigerian journalists, has also been a vocal advocate for press freedom and media rights. Together, SERAP and NGE are sounding the alarm on the dangers of unchecked power and the erosion of media freedom in Nigeria.
The press conference will feature discussions, presentations, and testimonies from experts and journalists who have been affected by the misuse of the Cybercrime Act. The event aims to raise awareness about the importance of protecting media freedom and promoting a culture of transparency and accountability.
As Nigeria’s media landscape continues to face challenges, this press conference serves as a timely reminder of the need for collective action to protect press freedom. The event will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to strategize on ways to promote media freedom and hold authorities accountable for their actions.
The misuse of the Cybercrime Act is part of a broader trend of restrictions on media freedom in Nigeria. Journalists and activists have faced harassment, intimidation, and prosecution for exercising their right to free speech. The press conference will highlight the human cost of these actions and the need for urgent reform.
By marking World Press Freedom Day, SERAP and NGE are drawing attention to the critical role that a free and independent media plays in promoting democracy, accountability, and human rights. The press conference will be a powerful statement of solidarity with journalists and media organizations fighting for their rights.
As the world celebrates World Press Freedom Day, the press conference organized by SERAP and NGE serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that lie ahead for Nigeria’s media landscape. It is a call to action for all stakeholders to work together to protect media freedom, promote transparency, and hold authorities accountable for their actions.
