Press freedom must empower citizens to act, say media chiefs
Press freedom must go beyond the newsroom to empower citizens to demand accountability and influence governance, some media chiefs said yesterday. Among them was the Executive Director of the Wole
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Press freedom must go beyond the newsroom to empower citizens to demand accountability and influence governance, some media chiefs said yesterday.
Among them was the Executive Director of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), Motunrayo Alaka.
She spoke at the commemoration of this year’s World Press Freedom Day organised by The Nation Journalism Foundation (TNJF), where media leaders, academics, and security officials examined the role of journalism in advancing human rights, development and national security.
Alaka said the true measure of press freedom lies in its impact on society.
“Press freedom is not complete when a story is published. It is only complete when that information enables a citizen to act,” she said.
The executive director warned that attacks on journalists, shrinking civic space and economic pressure on media organisations were weakening the watchdog role of the press at a critical time for Nigeria’s democracy.
The Lagos State government, in an address delivered on behalf of the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, by the ministry’s Director of Strategy Centre, Mr. Kayode Oyekanmi, reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and engagement with the media.
Omotoso said a free press remains a pillar of democracy, stressing that it must operate with professionalism, fairness, and accuracy.
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The commissioner noted that as the country approaches another election cycle, the role of the media in shaping public discourse becomes even more critical.
He urged journalists to uphold ethical standards and national interest.
The keynote set the tone for a panel session moderated by Precious Igbonwelundu, an Assistant News Editor and Head of the Security Desk at The Nation.
The panelists included Lekan Otufodunrin (Executive Director of the Media Career Development Network), Prof. Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Police Commissioner Tijani Fatai, who was represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Operations, and Deputy News Editor Joseph Jibueze.
Otufodunrin spoke on the right to information, stressing that while press freedom is constitutionally guaranteed, it is not absolute and must be exercised with responsibility.
He said access to information is central to human rights and development.
The former Sunday Editor at The Nation stressed that journalists must uphold ethical standards even as they hold power to account.
Jibueze focused on the enforcement of the Freedom of Information Act, describing compliance as a major challenge.
He noted that when many public institutions delay or refuse to respond to requests for information, transparency and accountability become the major victims.
According to him, journalists must continue to push the boundaries of the law through persistence, advocacy, and legal action where necessary.
Prof. Ogwezzy-Ndisika examined the internal dynamics shaping the media, particularly the influence of ownership on editorial direction.
The UNILAG don warned that ownership interests can compromise objectivity, especially during political seasons, turning sections of the media into tools for elite interests rather than platforms for accountability.
She also noted that while digital platforms have expanded citizen participation in governance, they have contributed to misinformation and weakened public trust.
According to her, shrinking civic space and safety concerns continue to discourage investigative reporting and limit the media’s effectiveness.
The police representative spoke on the need for responsible conflict reporting, warning that inaccurate or sensational reports could inflame tensions and trigger violence.
He advised journalists to avoid unverified figures, exaggerated claims, and other narratives that could incite ethnic or political conflict, especially during elections.
“Responsible reporting would reduce friction between the media and security agencies and contribute to national stability,” the police commissioner said.
The panelists agreed that press freedom must be balanced with responsibility, particularly in a fragile information environment.
The event attracted participation from across the media and academic spheres, including the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, Foundation for Investigative Journalism, TheCable, The Guardian, Vanguard newspapers, the UNILAG Press Club, the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), the Union of Campus Journalists, University of Ibadan (UI), and Oshodi Senior High School Press Club.
There was a consensus that press freedom remains a public good that must be protected through ethical journalism, collaboration and institutional support.
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, in a statement marking the comemoration, urged stronger media independence and comprehensive protection for journalists.
The organisation emphasised that beyond physical safety, there is a need to address welfare concerns, job security, and consistent enforcement of access to information laws to strengthen democratic accountability.
“Journalists remain central to democratic governance, yet many operate under unsafe conditions, poor welfare and limited institutional support. There is an urgent need to guarantee their protection, ensure their independence, and fully enforce access to information laws so the media can effectively serve the public interest,” it said.
