Saturday, May 3rd was observed as World Reporter’s Freedom Day, focusing on raising awareness about the importance of freedom of the press. Theme; “Reporting in a Brave New World – The Impact of Press Freedom and the Media” This year’s commemoration further reminds the government of its obligation to respect and support the right to expression.
Every day, journalists face increasing risks, including threats, censorship, violence, and more, simply to report the truth. In 2024, they paid particularly high prices. Compared to 74 in 2023, 82 people lost their lives in the course of their work.
To mark World Press Freedom Day on May 3rd, UNESCO is celebrating all those who risk their safety in order to defend the right to know the people, including the Nicaraguan newspaper Lapresa, the recipient of this year’s UNESCO/Guiller Mocano World Press Freedom Award.
On this day of the Freedom of the World Press, UNESCO celebrates all who reveal the facts despite the dangers.
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Protecting the safety of journalists is important to freedom of expression and is central to UNESCO’s mission. As coordinator of the UN Programme of Action on Journalist Safety, journalists can continue to share important information by taking action in many ways.
To help journalists working in the midst of crisis and conflict, UNESCO provides technical, legal and psychological support. In Ukraine, for example, 200 emergency grants were attributed to journalists, with a third of those women occurring. A total of 550 Ukrainian journalists have received financial support since the start of the war.
UNESCO worldwide provides legal support and protection to persecuted journalists, intervening on an average of 220 cases per year. It also establishes a network to document, investigate and expose threats and attacks, identifying approximately 50 cases per year.
These efforts reflect broader commitments. It is to protect freedom of the press and ensure that information rights remain protected everywhere and for everything.
The UNESCO/Giller Mocano World Press Freedom Award is another way for UNESCO to support journalists. Founded in 1997 and named after Guillermo Cano Isaza, a Colombian journalist who was assassinated, he celebrates outstanding journalism in the face of danger.
“The UNESCO/Guillermo Cano Award honors all the journalists who continue to let us know despite the many risks and threats to personal safety. This award reminds us of the importance of standing with those who protect and support the flow of information.”
Audrey Azurey
The UNESCO Director emphasized.
In 2025, the award was awarded to the Nicaraguan newspaper Laprence, in recognition of its extraordinary resilience and commitment to independent journalism. Despite years of pressure, suppression, and imprisonment and expulsion of its leadership, with the forfeiture of assets in 2021, Lapresa continues to report, providing reliable news to the public in Nicaragua and beyond.
“Lapresa made a courageous effort to report the truth to the people of Nicaraguan. Like other civil society organizations, Lapresa was forced to go into exile.
Yasuo Misasa
The International Ju Chair, a media expert, explained.
As the world celebrates freedom of the press, the example of Lapresa reminds us that independent journalism is essential to justice, accountability and democracy. Lapresa has joined a prominent group of UNESCO/Guillermo Cano Prizes, including Afghanistan-born Maria Russa, Flip and journalists.
It is titled in the edited May 2nd, 2025. “WPD 2025: Is Nigerian press really free?” Punch newspaper said it has found that Nigeria is at a critical time as Nigeria marks global press freedom day.
While global debate focuses on the transformational impact of AI on journalism, Nigeria addresses more immediate and pressing concerns: the erosion of press freedom under the legal framework and the guise of government overreach – the proposed paper.
“The Nigerian media, once a formidable force against colonial rule and military dictatorship, is now operating under the Veneer of Freedom.
“Beneath this façade is the reality that journalists are routinely harassed, detained and charged with fulfilling their constitutional duties.
“The 2015 cybercrime (prohibition, prevention, etc.) law was originally designed to combat cyber threats, and became a tool to silence dissent and hold investigative journalism breathing,” we are told.
Despite the February 2024 amendment aimed at protecting journalists, the law continues to be enforced. Sections 24 and 27(1)(b) were particularly useful in targeting media experts.
Reminiscences, the publication recalls that in March 2024, a brutal soldier forced Segun Olatunji, the editor of First News, from his Lagos home. The policeman drove him to Abuja over newspaper stories about the defense chief. Olatunji said he was detained and tortured for doing his job.
Meanwhile, initially, military authorities denied abduction, but later released Oratunji after public pressure.
Citing more cases, the punch pointed out that in September 2024, four journalists were charged under these provisions to report alleged financial misconduct involving a prominent bank executive. Such actions underscore the disturbing trends in which state equipment is being employed to intimidate and suppress the media.
The case of investigative journalist Daniel Ojukuu, who has been detained for more than a week without trial, is said to further illustrate the misuse of this power. His arrest was linked to reports exposing government corruption, and elicited widespread criticism from civil society and international organizations.
However, such cases have not been isolated as at least 25 journalists have faced prosecutors since the enactment of the Cybercrime Act.
Enter the FCT. Written on the weekend magazine May 4th, Joy Omaga Idam reported that the Nigerian Journalists Union (NUJ) celebrated Freedom Day for World Reporters in Abuja, highlighting the key role of journalists in promoting democracy and excellent governance.
The event, which celebrated outstanding leaders and organizations, reminded us of the importance of ethical journalism in national construction.
Senate President Dr. Godswill Obott Akpabio emphasized that access to accurate information is the foundation of democracy. Without it, he declared that citizens could not hold leaders accountable. While describing Congress as a country’s “microphone” where citizen concerns are converted into laws and policies, Akpabio was quoted as saying that the right to information is a fundamental right to maintain the breathing of democracy.
The 10th Senate president was said to have been represented by Senate spokesman Senator Adeyemi Raphael Adaramodu.
In his speech, it was said that NUJ President Comrade Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi reaffirmed the union’s commitment to ethical journalism, protection of press freedom, and accountability in governance. He noted that World Reporters’ Freedom Day respects the principles of freedom of speech and the resilience of journalists facing harassment, imprisonment and even death for doing their work.
The Weekend magazine states that the event recognizes outstanding leaders and organizations who have demonstrated valued leadership in a variety of areas. The winners include:
“Sun Chief Henry Acneb, who won the Press Freedom Award Defender for his unwavering commitment to protecting journalist rights. Sen. God Swill Akpabio has been awarded the Good Governance Award for Legislative Transformation and Efficiency.
“Governor of Kaduna, he is Sen. Uba Sani, who has received the Good Governance Award for Peacebuilding and Development.
Governor Kevi, he is accompanied by Dr. Nasir Idris, who was recognized for his contributions to education.
“Arc. SunnySt Echono, (Pacesetter Leadership Award) Dr. EmemOmokaro, (Innovative Leadership), NNPC Ltd (Energy Efficiency and Sustainability), Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, (Construction Company of the Year Award) and the National Bureau of Statistics, (Transparency of Statistics).
“Idibia Gabriel, Matthew Ochei, Jide Oyekunle, Lucy Ezeliora, Ibrahim Isha and Ibrahim Ayyuba Isah were honored with the Torch Bearer of Press Freedom Award,” the publication states.
Nuj FCT Council, led by Chairman Comrade Grace Ike, celebrated the achievements of his secretary, Comrade Jide Oyekunle, who was awarded the Torch Bearer of Press Freedom Award. She described Comrade Oikunlu as a brave, young, dynamic and hardworking secretary.
Just as the world commemorates WPFD 2025, the Daily Times focuses on orders defending Nigeria’s brave new world. This is shaped by the true free press, defending a true democratic spirit. This is Moreso, as AI has become an integral part of the media.
