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The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has raised the alarm over the increasing harassment, intimidation and prosecution of journalists by security agencies, warning that the trend could undermine press freedom and legitimate journalism in Nigeria.
In a communiqué made available to Daily Sun and signed by the Guild’s President, Eze Anaba, and General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, after its Standing Committee meeting in Kano on Friday, September 11, 2026, the editors also called on the Federal Government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to guarantee a level playing field for all political parties and candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Guild expressed particular concern over the use of cybercrime legislation and other laws in ways it said could restrict legitimate journalistic practice, stressing that press freedom remained fundamental to democracy and good governance.
It urged governments at all levels and members of the public to respect journalists and media organisations, while encouraging aggrieved individuals and organisations to pursue complaints through the Media Ombudsman established by the Newspapers Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), NGE, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), rather than resorting to threats, intimidation or violence.
“Governments at all levels and members of the public should uphold and respect freedom of the press as a fundamental pillar of democracy and good governance. It calls for constructive engagement with the media and urges aggrieved parties to channel complaints through the Media Ombudsman established jointly by the Newspapers Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), rather than resorting to threats, intimidation or violence against journalists and media organisations.”
On the 2027 elections, the Guild called on the Federal and state governments to create an environment in which all political parties and candidates can campaign freely and fairly, including the lawful outdoor display of party symbols and the airing of campaign slogans.
It specifically urged INEC and other agencies involved in preparations for the elections to treat ruling and opposition parties fairly and without discrimination, arguing that equal treatment would strengthen public confidence, trust and electoral integrity.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and all other agencies involved in preparations for the 2027 general election should ensure a level playing field for all political parties, including the ruling and opposition parties, without bias or discrimination. This, it notes, is essential to building public confidence, trust and electoral integrity.”
The editors also charged politicians and political parties to focus their campaigns on issues, avoid inflammatory rhetoric and comply with the rules governing political campaigns as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
On journalism, the Guild urged media organisations to uphold the highest professional and ethical standards, with fairness, objectivity, accuracy and factuality guiding their coverage.
The Guild also called on the Federal Government to remain committed to its economic reforms while ensuring that the welfare and wellbeing of Nigerians remain central to policy decisions. It expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of federal roads, which it said had created hardship for motorists, commuters and businesses, and urged the government to intensify road rehabilitation, reconstruction and construction.
“We are concerned about the deteriorating condition of federal roads across the country, which has imposed enormous hardship on motorists, commuters and businesses. The Federal Government should redouble its efforts towards the rehabilitation, reconstruction and construction of roads to facilitate the free movement of people and goods and stimulate economic activities.”
The editors commended security agencies for their successes against terrorism, banditry and other forms of criminality but called for sustained and coordinated efforts to achieve lasting peace, security and national unity. The Guild also expressed appreciation to Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the people of the state for providing an enabling environment for the Standing Committee meeting and reaffirmed its commitment to good governance, public welfare, peace, progress and democratic values.
