Manny Ita –
As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark World Press Freedom Day, the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) has urged the federal government to establish a comprehensive national framework aimed at safeguarding the sustainability of the media industry.
The organisation stressed that journalists and media outlets are increasingly facing economic pressures, declining revenues, and disruptions caused by rapid digital transformation. According to WSCIJ, these challenges threaten the ability of the press to operate independently and effectively.
It called for policies that will support funding models for journalism, enhance digital resilience, and provide protections against emerging threats such as online harassment, misinformation, and surveillance. The centre also emphasized the need to create an enabling environment where journalists can work safely without fear of intimidation or financial instability.
WSCIJ further urged collaboration between government, private sector stakeholders, and civil society to strengthen the media ecosystem and uphold democratic values. It noted that a free, independent, and sustainable press remains essential for accountability, transparency, and good governance in Nigeria.
