In the World Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters without Borders, Nigeria has been placed at the 115th position out of 180 countries.
The index characterizes Nigeria as experiencing a “climate of permanent violence.”
The report attributes the killing, detention, and brutalization of journalists in Nigeria, along with campaigns of disinformation, as efforts to weaken the freedom of the press in the country.
Nigeria is described as one of the most dangerous and challenging countries for journalists in West Africa. Journalists face surveillance, physical attacks, arbitrary arrests, and even killings, with inadequate investigations into the responsible parties.
During the campaigns for the 2019 elections, extensive disinformation, particularly on social media, was attributed to officials within the two main parties.
The defense of quality journalism and the protection of journalists are not considered government priorities in Nigeria, according to the report.
Although Nigeria boasts over 100 independent newspapers, the media faces challenges in covering political, terrorism, or financial embezzlement stories, with limited access to information and frequent denial of access by government officials, police, and the public itself.
Regional governors are highlighted as determined persecutors of journalists, often acting with impunity, and instances of regulatory abuse, detention, and prosecution of journalists and bloggers have been reported.
In contrast, the top 10 countries on the Press Freedom Index are Norway, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Portugal. In contrast, North Korea secured the 180th position.