Experts Outline Four-Pillar Framework to Tackle Attacks on Journalists
As Nigeria joins the global community to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, media experts and policymakers have called for bold reforms to safeguard press freedom and ensure justice for journalists attacked in the line of duty.
At a high-level dialogue on Sunday organised by Brilux Media Consult in partnership with the Centre for Media Policy and Accountability (CMPA) and PRNigeria, participants proposed a four-pillar national framework anchored on legal and institutional reforms, protection and early warning systems, capacity building, and accountability mechanisms.
The event, themed “Mitigating Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists: A Framework for Policymakers in Nigeria,” held at the PRNigeria Conference Hall in Abuja on Sunday, brought together academics, government representatives, and civil society leaders.
The Convener, Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, the Executive Director of Brilux Media Consult, in his opening remarks, warned that the growing wave of attacks on journalists threatens democracy and informed citizenship.
“If we do not protect journalists, our ability to remain informed and make decisions is severely hampered,” he said. “There must be an end to impunity for crimes against journalists through effective prosecution and punishment of offenders.”
Delivering the keynote, Professor Akinseye George, President of the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies, decried what he described as a “culture of silence and impunity” that allows perpetrators to walk free.
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“Impunity represents a failure of governance and accountability. Policymakers must strengthen institutional coordination, establish national protection mechanisms for journalists, and ensure transparency in handling such cases,” he said.
He urged civil society and media groups to document violations, pursue strategic litigation, and train journalists on safety and digital security.
“Protecting journalism is about protecting the conscience of our society,” he added.
In a goodwill message, PRNigeria’s Editor-in-Chief, Yushau Shuaib, represented by Professor Sule Yau Sule, said the discussion came at a critical time for Nigeria’s democracy.
Prof. Sule who also the moderator of the panel of discussion add that “This dialogue creates awareness and synergy among stakeholders to demand justice and end impunity against journalists,” he noted.
The special guest of honour, Kamarudden Ogundele, Special Assistant to the President on Communication and Publicity, Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, commended the organisers, describing the initiative as a “policy-enabling platform” that will help shape Nigeria’s commitment to press protection.
Similarly, Liman Abdullahi, Communication Officer at CMPA, who represented the Executive Director, Dr. Suleiman Amu Suleiman, lamented the absence of a national policy to punish offenders.
“Until we have a structured framework, perpetrators will continue to act without fear of consequences,” he warned.
Also speaking, the guest of honour, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director-General, Media, Kano State Government, urged journalists to balance courage with professionalism.
“We must defend the truth but also uphold ethics for the good of society,” he said.
A robust panel session followed, featuring Prof. Akinseye George, Prof. Muhammad Hamisu Sani, Kamarudden Ogundele, Ms. Stephanie O. Adams Douglas, a Media and Developmental Strategist Dr. Suleiman Amu Suleiman (represented by Abdullahi).
PRNigeria reports the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, observed globally on November 2, draws attention to the alarming rate at which journalists are attacked or killed without justice being served.
By PRNigeria
