Imo, Lagos Top List Of Most Hostile States For Journalists — CJID Report

In a new report that casts a spotlight on the shrinking space for press freedom in Nigeria, Imo and Lagos States have been identified as some of the most hostile environments for journalists to operate in, raising alarms over the safety and independence of media practitioners in the country.

The report, released on Thursday by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) and presented by media scholar Professor Victor Ayedun-Aluma from University of Jos, a professor of Mass Communication and Social Change, assessed the performance of all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in upholding press freedom.

Titled “State of Press Freedom in Nigeria: 2024 Subnational Report,” the study 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.

Cross River Leads; Imo Comes Last

In a surprising twist, Cross River State—once notorious for high-profile cases of journalist intimidation—was ranked first with a score of 70.40%, credited for improved openness and a relatively safer environment for journalists in recent years. It was followed by Ondo (63.72%), Delta (63.03%), Katsina (57.51%), and Ekiti (57.09%).

At the other end of the scale, Imo State ranked 37th (last) with a dismal score of 40.70%, a result CJID says reflects a pattern of repression, obstruction of journalistic work, and a lack of transparency by state actors.

Closely following Imo in the bottom five were Ebonyi (41.90%), Bauchi (42.69%), Nasarawa (43.65%), and Anambra (44.68%).

Despite being home to numerous media houses and professionals, Lagos State surprisingly ranked 22nd with 48.93%, which the report attributes to frequent clashes between journalists and law enforcement agents, limited access to public information, and cases of harassment during coverage of protests and political events.

Section 39(1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information without interference. However, in practice, media professionals across the country face a slew of challenges—from legal intimidation to outright violence.

Speaking during the report presentation in Abuja, Prof. Ayedun-Aluma said the findings expose the “uneven and often hostile landscape of media freedom in Nigeria,” and stressed the need for urgent action at the state level.

“While the federal government often receives the spotlight for press repression, the report reveals that the real battles for media freedom are being fought at the subnational level.

“We need better laws, more transparency, and state actors who respect the role of the press,” he said.

The report puts the National average of press freedom at 50.1%.

The CJID report recommends that state governments enact or strengthen freedom of information laws at the state level and train law enforcement officers to respect journalists’ rights during protests and political coverage and hold public officials accountable for abuses against journalists.

It also recommends states promote access to public records and ensure government communication is transparent and create independent media ombudsman structures to handle press-related complaints.

Southern States More Media-Friendly

The study further revealed that, on average, southern states performed better in terms of press freedom than their northern counterparts, with the South-South zone taking the lead.

This trend, CJID said, may be linked to increased civic engagement, stronger media presence, and growing digital literacy in the South. Nonetheless, the organization warns that no state in the country has yet achieved an ideal press freedom environment.

Imo, Lagos Top List Of Most Hostile States For Journalists — CJID Report is first published on The Whistler Newspaper