Nigeria faces rising journalist harassment and election reporting concerns

Journalists in Nigeria face increasing risks regarding both physical safety and the responsibility of reporting during sensitive political periods. A recent retreat for the Kano Correspondents’ Chapel emphasized the critical role of the media in maintaining peace ahead of the 2027 general elections. Stakeholders noted that in highly populated and politically active regions like Kano, inaccurate or inflammatory reporting could deepen ethnic, religious, or political divisions.

Simultaneously, reports indicate a rise in hostility toward the press. The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism documented 245 incidents of harassment, intimidation, and assault against journalists and civic freedoms in 2025. These incidents include physical attacks by security forces and vigilante groups, as well as regulatory pressure from the National Broadcasting Commission. Nigeria currently ranks 112th out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, placing it in the “difficult” category for press freedom.