ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has restated its commitment to protecting press freedom and safeguarding journalists in the country, amid growing concerns over safety, harassment, and professional independence in the media space.
President of IPI Nigeria, Musikilu Mojeed, gave the assurance on Saturday in Abuja during the opening of the institute’s Press Freedom Hub, a facility designed to support journalists facing professional and personal challenges in the line of duty.
Mojeed said the institute remains non-partisan and consistent in defending free speech and independent journalism, stressing that its mandate has remained unchanged for over seven decades.
“In its 70 years of existence, IPI has been non-partisan and has continued to speak for independent journalism and the safety of journalists,” he said.
He noted that the organisation’s commitment to media development and training dates back to 1972, when it supported the establishment of the Nigeria Institute of Journalism (NIJ).
According to him, the core responsibility of IPI remains the protection of journalists and the promotion of global standards in reporting.
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“The core mandate of IPI every single day is to protect journalists, protect free speech, protect press freedom, and ensure that journalists all over the world are safe,” he said.
Mojeed added that the new Press Freedom Hub would serve as a safe space for journalists to report violations, seek guidance, and access psychological support where necessary, noting that the demands of modern journalism have taken a toll on practitioners.
He said the institute, with support from partners such as the MacArthur Foundation, has continued to train journalists on ethics, safety, and professional conduct.
“Journalists in this country should be confident that this is a safe place for them. If every other thing fails, this institute will not fail here,” he said.
He explained that the hub is also expected to help journalists operate within global best practices and professional codes of conduct, while providing intervention where ethical standards are upheld.
Mojeed, however, cautioned against abuse of journalistic platforms, including blackmail and unethical reporting, stressing that IPI’s protection is anchored on professionalism.
“As long as you are ethical, whether you are a blogger, a journalist, or an ordinary Nigerian, we will try our best for you,” he said.
He further highlighted the increasing complexity of the media environment, where traditional journalism now overlaps with digital platforms and citizen reporting, making ethical standards even more important.
Beyond institutional assurances, the development comes at a time when concerns over press freedom, journalist safety, and media independence continue to generate debate in Nigeria, with calls for stronger protection mechanisms for media practitioners.
IPI maintained that its intervention will continue to focus on training, advocacy, and support systems aimed at strengthening journalism practice while ensuring that reporters operate without fear or intimidation.