IPC Opposes Impunity Against Journalists, Organizes Twitter (X) Space Conversation for Women Journalists @ IDEI-2025
From Umar Dankano, Yola
The International Press Center (IPC) has opposed any action, legislation, regulation, or political pressure that limits press freedom in the course of professional journalism practice in the country.
This position was made public through a press release signed and issued over the weekend by the Press Freedom Officer of IPC, Melody Akinjiyan. The Center declared that acts of intimidation and violence against journalists in Nigeria must end for democracy to survive.
According to the statement, as part of activities marking the 2025 International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists (IDEI), the IPC, through its Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) Hub, is organizing a Twitter (X) Space conversation on threats faced by women journalists in both digital and physical spaces.
“The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists (IDEI) is celebrated annually as declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and adopted by the UN General Assembly.
“The event, which will take place on Monday, November 3, 2025, shall feature a highlight of IPC’s recent publication titled ‘The Unseen Enablers’ and provide a brief insight into the analysis of trends of attacks on women journalists from 2020 to 2025,” the statement added.
Similarly, the Executive Director of IPC, Lanre Arogundade, in his statement, said the theme for IDEI 2025 – “Chat GBV: Raising Awareness on AI-facilitated Gender-Based Violence Against Women Journalists” is a wake-up call to end impunity for crimes against journalists, with this year’s focus on women journalists in Nigeria.
“We cannot turn a blind eye to attacks against journalists. We attach the highest priority to the safety of journalists and other media actors. We oppose any action, legislation, regulation, or political pressure that limits freedom of the press. Acts of intimidation and violence against journalists in Nigeria must end for democracy to survive,” Mr. Arogundade said.
The release further explained that the Twitter (X) conversation will include a panel discussion featuring four panelists: Anikeade Funke-Treasure, IPC Board Member and Executive Director of Illuminate Nigeria; Ladi Bala, Former Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ); Ify Onyegbule, Director-General of Imo Broadcasting Commission; and Jadesola Ajibola, Executive Director of Gender Alive Foundation. The panelists will share insights on addressing threats to women journalists in digital and physical spaces.
