World Press Freedom Day 2025: "Don't Use Cybercrime Act to Embarrass Journalists", IPI Tells Nigerian Government, Security Agents, Calls for Ethical Journalism 

By: Olufemi Orunsola 

In commemoration of the World Press Freedom Day 2025, the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has appealed to the Nigerian government to uphold press freedom and refrain from using security agencies to misuse the Cybercrimes Act to intimidate and harass journalists, noting that journalists should embrace ethical journalism.

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that the press freedom advocacy appeal was made known by the Nigerian National Committee of the Institute over the last weekend. 

The statement reads, "As we celebrate World Press Freedom Day, the Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) joins journalists in Nigeria and worldwide in commemorating this important occasion. We urge our colleagues to reaffirm their commitment to professional journalism."

It further reads, "We call on the federal and state governments, as well as their agencies, to uphold press freedom by removing all obstacles to journalism practice in Nigeria. Specifically, we urge security agencies to refrain from using the Cybercrimes Act to intimidate and harass journalists. Instead, they should protect journalists and press freedom, as a thriving press is essential for a better society’, it added.

While commending journalists who have continued to abide by ethical journalism practices despite obvious threats and challenges, the Committee also appealed to media employers to provide fair remuneration, noting that unpaid salaries and poor renumeration constitute threats press freedom.

Meanwhile, the statement reaffirms the continued commitment of the International Press Institute (IPI) to defending media freedom and supporting independent journalism wherever it is threatened.

OTN News recalls that May 3rd every year marks the global celebration of press freedom day, a day dedicated to creating awaremess about press freedom principles, assessing media freedom around the world and honouring journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

OTN News further reports as gathered that the theme of this year's World Press Freedom Day global commemoration focuses on the profound influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on journalism and media under the theme: Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media. 

In a related development, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), focusing on the theme for year is set to encourage a global discourse on how AI is transforming journalism, providing tools that enhance investigative reporting, content creation, and fact-checking. It allows for greater efficiency, multilingual accessibility, and improved data analysis.

OTN News further reports that the global educational and scientific organisation has eearmarked a one-day World Press Freedom Day 2025 Signature Event tagged: Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media.

The event tagged, is scheduled to take place on 7 May 2025 with a morning session at 9:30 am and a second session onnthe same day, (7 May 2025 ) at 6:30 pm at BOZAR Centre for fine arts, Brussels, Belgium

Rooms :BOZAR Centre for fine arts, Brussels, Belgium

Type :

Cat IV – International Congress

Arrangement type :

Hybrid.

Among other things, the event will explore myriads of complex related issues, bringing together journalists, policymakers, media professionals, and civil society actors to ensure AI strengthens, rather than undermines, press freedom and democratic values.

OTN News gathered from the official website of UNESCO that the body has created a platform and link for global participation in this year’s thematic commemoration of world press freedom day, encouraging educational institutions and other critical stakeholders to profile and submit local commemorative events to the organisation via the link

Register to the event in this link: https://indico.un.org/e/World-Press-Freedom-Day-2025