The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) have noted steady progress in press freedom, even as challenges continue to affect the media industry.
They made these remarks while marking World Press Freedom Day, observed globally every May 3.Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria, Lagos NUJ Chairman, Mr. Adeleye Ajayi, said the media landscape has seen noticeable improvement in recent years. According to him, the situation over the past three years is better compared to earlier periods in the country.
Ajayi explained that incidents such as attacks, harassment, and killings of journalists have reduced significantly. He also pointed out that government institutions now interact more frequently with the media, strengthening communication and professional relationships.
“Government and the media now engage consistently, and communication gaps are gradually being bridged,” Ajayi said.Despite this progress, he raised concerns about new challenges, particularly the impact of artificial intelligence and the rise in cybercrime-related cases. He noted that some journalists have been invited or detained by security agencies over alleged cyber offences, a situation that can lead to self-censorship and limit investigative reporting.
Ajayi called for the removal of laws seen as unfriendly to journalism and stressed the need for accountability in cases involving attacks on journalists. He also urged the government to respect media independence and improve journalists’ welfare.
“The media remains the oxygen of democracy and must operate without fear or intimidation,” he said.Similarly, former NAWOJ National President, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Omowole, acknowledged improvements compared to conditions three decades ago. “We are not where we desire, but we are better than where we started,” Omowole said.
She identified poor funding as a major challenge, noting that it affects training, efficiency, and overall newsroom operations. She also called for better implementation of the Freedom of Information Act and urged security agencies to be trained on journalists’ rights. Meanwhile, NAWOJ Lagos Chairman, Mrs. Jumoke Johnson, highlighted Nigeria’s progress in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, moving from 122nd position in 2025 to 112th in 2026.
She said the improvement is encouraging but shows that more work is needed, adding that full press freedom has not yet been achieved. Johnson warned against the misuse of social media, which she said threatens professionalism and public trust.
“Anyone with a smartphone now claims to be a journalist, often without ethics or training,” Johnson said. She added that such practices promote misinformation and weaken confidence in credible journalism. Johnson also pointed to poor salaries and limited training opportunities as ongoing issues.
“Let us continue to speak with one voice for better remuneration and working conditions,” Johnson said.
