Imo and Lagos states have ranked topmost in Nigerian states as the most hostile for journalists to operate and practice in.
This is according to a report by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) released on Thursday.
The report measured various indicators, including journalists’ access to information, cases of harassment and intimidation, transparency of government institutions, and legal frameworks supporting or restricting media practice.
While Imo and Lagos states are the most notorious for journalists to practice in, Cross River State, once known for high-profile cases of journalist intimidation, was ranked first with a score of 70.40 percent. This was credited to improved openness and a relatively safer environment for journalists in recent years.
Cross River was followed by Ondo (63.72 percent), Delta (63.03 percent), Katsina (57.51 percent), and Ekiti (57.09 percent).
Conversely, Imo and Lagos were followed by Ebonyi (41.90 percent), Bauchi (42.69 percent), Nasarawa (43.65 percent), and Anambra (44.68 percent).
CJID blamed the trend on a pattern of repression, obstruction of journalistic work, and a lack of transparency by state actors.
DAILY POST reports that Section 39(1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of expression.
In October 2020, Lagos State was the epicentre of the infamous #EndSARS protest against police brutality in Nigeria, while Imo was fierce for unknown gunmen attacks.
