By Oluwaferanmi Akinbobola
Media professionals, academics and security stakeholders have called for stronger protection of journalists and greater press freedom during the 2026 World Press Freedom Day commemoration organised by The Nation Journalism Foundation on Monday.
The event, themed “Shaping a Future at Peace: Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Development and Security,” featured discussions on the challenges facing journalists, the responsibilities associated with press freedom, and the need for a safer environment for media practice in Nigeria.
Delivering the keynote address, Motunrayo Alaka, Executive Director and CEO of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, stressed the importance of press freedom in society. She noted that journalists should be free to report issues affecting the country without intimidation or suppression.
According to her, journalists should also have the right to seek legal redress against individuals who attempt to defame them while carrying out their duties.
“Journalists should also be able to sue people who try to defame them, just like people would do the same to them when they report the truth,” she said.
The event also featured a panel session moderated by Precious Igbonwelundu, Assistant News Editor and Head of Security Desk at The Nation.
Speaking during the session, Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika of the University of Lagos highlighted the dangers journalists face in the course of their work and called for proper recognition and protection of media professionals.
According to her, journalists deserve credit for putting themselves at risk for the benefit of society.
“Protection of journalists should be holistic,” she stated, adding that press freedom remains incomplete when information is suppressed and not published.
Additionally, at the event, Mr Lekan Otufodunrin, a journalist with over three decades of experience, spoke on the need to balance rights with responsibility.
Responding to a question on journalists’ rights, he stated that “no right is absolute,” noting that both journalists and members of the public must respect one another’s rights and responsibilities.
Other panellists at the event included the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, whom Assistant Commissioner of Police A.B. Lawal representedl.
