From Umar Dankano, Yola.
The International Press Center (IPC) has opposed any action, legislation, regulation or political pressure that limits freedom of the press in the cause of execution of professional calling in the country.
Making this position public through a press release signed and issued by the press freedom officer of the IPC, Melody Akinjiyan weekend, the Center declared that any Acts of intimidation and violence against journalists in Nigeria have to end for democracy to survive.
According to the statement as part of activities marking the 2025 International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists (IDEI), the Centre (IPC), through its Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) Hub is organizing a Twitter (X) Space conversation on threats to women journalists in digital and physical spaces.
“The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists (IDEI) is celebrated annually as declared by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and adopted by the UN General Assembly.
“The event which will take place on Monday, November 3, 2025, shall feature a highlight of IPC’s recent publication on ‘The Unseen Enablers’ and a brief insight on the analysis of trends of attacks on women journalists: 2020 – 2025”. The statement highlighted.
Similarly, the Executive Director of IPC, Lanre Arogundade in a statement said, “the theme for the IDEI 2025 – Chat GBV: Raising Awareness on AI-facilitated Gender-Based Violence against Women Journalists, is a wake-up call to put an end to impunity for crimes against journalists – this year focusing on women journalists in Nigeria”.
“We cannot turn a blind eye to attacks against journalists. We attach the highest priority to the safety of journalists and other media actors. We oppose any action, legislation, regulation or political pressure that limits freedom of the press. Acts of intimidation and violence against journalists in Nigeria have to end for democracy to survive,” Mr. Arogundade said.
It (release) further explained that the twitter (X) conversation shall include a panel discussion during which four (4) panelists; Anikeade Funke-Treasure, IPC Board Member and Executive Director, Illuminate Nigeria; Ladi Bala, Former, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Chairperson, Ify Onyegbule – Director General, Imo Broadcasting Commission; and Jadesola Ajibola – Executive Director, Gender Alive Foundation shall give insight on addressing threats to women journalists in digital and physical space
