Journalists walk in Calabar to commemorate 2025 World Press Freedom Day; Lawmaker commends practitioners for surmounting all odds

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Cross River State Chapter marked the 2025 World Press Freedom Day on Saturday, May 3 with a road walk tagged ‘Freedom Walk’.  came out in large numbers on Saturday for a road walk to mark 2025.

The road walk which witnessed large turnout of members was led by Ms. Archibong Bassey, the chairperson, NUJ Cross River State who assembled journalists in a peaceful procession touching designated spots in Calabar.

Participants held placards with divers’ inscriptions: ‘The Nigerian Media Deserves Freedom, Not Fear’; ‘No True Democracy Without a Free Press’; ‘Fake News Thrives When the Press is Gagged’ among others, underscores the call for media independence and ethical journalism.

The theme for this year is “‘Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media’. The theme highlights rapid growth and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in changing journalism, media, and press freedom.

Bassey urged all tiers of government to ensure safe and enabling environment for media professionals to operate effectively. She stressed the importance of an unfettered press, stating that societal ills flourish when journalists are cowed or restricted.

She also highlighted the mutual responsibility of the press and society in safeguarding truth and accountability calling on journalists to remain focused, in spite of distractions, and uphold truth as a fundamental value of the profession.

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Monitoring and Evaluation of House Standing and Ad hoc Committees, Rep. Obi Aguocha (LP-Abia) has warned against media intimidation, censorship and harassment.

The lawmaker who made the call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Monday, said that media censorship and other related actions were dangerous assault on democracy and human rights, describing the press as the eyes and ears of the people tasked with holding the public officers accountable and informing citizens.

And while calling for legal protection, and safer working conditions for journalists, commended the media practitioners for their resilience in the face of political pressure, economic hardship and personal risk.

“Journalists are not enemies of the state; they are watchdogs of the people’s interest. They amplify the voices of the voiceless, expose corruption, and tell the stories that matter, without them, democracy would be blind.

“We must move away from a culture of fear and embrace a culture of transparency. Freedom of the press is not a privilege given by the government, it is a fundamental right that must be upheld and defended,” he said.

“If we want a more accountable society, we must empower those who speak truth to power.  Supporting the press means supporting democracy,” he said.

The Chief Press Secretary to Cross River Governor Bassey Otu, while eulogizing AI as supportive of contemporary journalism, cautioned media practitioners against copy and paste without verification of AI contents and doubled down on the need for accuracy and accountability in reportage of news.

As sideline of the event, journalists visited the Mother Elizabeth Redeemed Orphanage and the Medium Security Prison, Afokang. They donated food and toiletries to both the orphanage and prison inmates.

Against the backdrop of UN prism that only through journalism do we see the full picture: a clearer understanding of the world, grounded in facts, independence and integrity, UNESCO is honouring all those who bring facts to light despite the danger.

Journalists face increasing risks every day- threats, censorship and violence for the simple reason of reporting the truth. In 2024, they paid a particularly high price: 82 lost their lives in the course of their work.

Protecting journalists’ safety is critical for freedom of expression. As the coordinator of the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists, UNESCO’s mandate is to protect journalists and ensuring that journalists can continue to share vital information.

UNESCO provides technical, legal, and psychological assistance. Worldwide, UNESCO provides legal assistance and protection to persecuted journalists, intervening in an average of 220 cases per year. It also establishes networks to document, investigate and expose threats and attacks, identifying around 50 cases annually.

These efforts reflect a broader commitment to uphold press freedom and ensure that the right to information remains protected everywhere, and for all.

World Press Freedom Day was established by the United Nations in 1993 and is observed annually on May 3 to honour press freedom and pays tribute to journalists who lost their lives while performing their duties.

As the world celebrates press freedom, the example of Nicaraguan newspaper La Prensa and others, reminds us that independent journalism is essential for justice, accountability and democracy

By: Archibong Emmanuel

(Snr. Reporter)