Mr Ojukwu also highlighted the theme of this year's World Press Freedom Day, "Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a Driver of all Other Human Rights," which he said is particularly relevant as it underlines the influence of freedom of expression on other human rights. He applauded Nigerian journalists for their bravery in the face of harassment, intimidation, and destruction of their working tools by some security agents, calling on law enforcement agencies to recognise the press as a critical partner in the democratic process and desist from any form of confrontation.
The NHRC Executive Secretary urged the police to intensify their investigations in unearthing the circumstances surrounding any attack on Nigerian journalists, noting that any attempt to prevent the performance of their duties amounts to a breach of the Constitution and a violation of press freedom. He commended the federal government's effort in 2022, which led to the emergence of Nigeria as the only African country in full compliance in terms of the protection of the rights of journalists, with only one incident of death recorded from infractions, as reported by the Committee for the Protection of Journalists.
According to Mr Ojukwu, the commemoration of World Press Freedom Day is a period to reminisce the fundamental principles of press freedom, to defend the media from attacks on their independence, and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty. He emphasised that the NHRC is committed to joining well-meaning stakeholders to fight for a robust civic space in Nigeria and ensure that the media can play its constitutional role as the watchdog of the society, including the government.
World Press Freedom Day, which started in 1993, is celebrated annually on May 3 to remind governments of their commitment to press freedom and to ensure that journalists uphold professional ethics in the course of their duties. The day also aims to ensure that civic space is not restricted, given the contribution of freedom of expression to the development of democracies globally, particularly in Nigeria.