In a troubling revelation, Nigeria has emerged among the top seven African nations with the highest number of incarcerated journalists in 2024, highlighting an alarming clampdown on press freedom across the continent. This finding was disclosed in the 2024 prison census report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), which documented the detention of 67 African journalists due to their work by December 1, 2024.
Although the total number slightly decreased from 68 in 2023, it reflects a worrisome rise from 57 cases reported in 2022. CPJ’s report underscores the persistence of press repression in Africa, with Nigeria claiming the seventh spot after Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Rwanda, and Tunisia.
A Continent-wide Crisis
According to the CPJ report, Egypt topped the list by imprisoning 17 journalists in 2024, closely followed by Eritrea with 16. Ethiopia detained six journalists, while Cameroon, Rwanda, and Tunisia each accounted for five. Nigeria recorded the imprisonment of four journalists, while Algeria detained two. Countries like Angola, Burundi, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Madagascar, Guinea, and Senegal each jailed one journalist.
Most of these cases stem from accusations tied to anti-state activities, criminal defamation, or dissemination of so-called “false news.” In a striking example, five journalists detained in Ethiopia face charges that could result in the death penalty if convicted of terrorism.
CPJ stated, “Eritrea remained among the worst jailers of journalists globally. Those held in Eritrea include some of the journalists imprisoned the longest anywhere in the world.”
The report highlighted the grim story of journalist René Capain Bassène in Senegal. Bassène, serving a life sentence since 2018 for alleged involvement in a crime witnesses claimed he could not have committed, was retroactively included in CPJ’s 2024 census.
Nigeria: Press Under Siege
Nigeria’s ranking reinforces concerns about its challenging environment for media practitioners. The use of cybercrime laws to prosecute journalists remains a key weapon in curbing press freedom in the country. Human rights advocates and media watchdogs have long condemned Nigeria’s cybercrime legislation for its potential to suppress dissent under the guise of tackling online falsehoods.
The imprisonment of four journalists in Nigeria underscores the challenges faced by the press in maintaining independence amid escalating governmental scrutiny. Though CPJ’s report did not disclose specific cases, Nigeria’s press history has seen journalists arrested for their reporting on corruption, human rights abuses, and political controversies.
Abuse Behind Bars
Journalists imprisoned across Africa often face harsh conditions. In Rwanda and Senegal, detainees reported incidents of mistreatment, including beatings and inhumane treatment. Emmanuel Monychol Akop, a journalist in South Sudan, has been held without court proceedings since November 2024.
In Angola, journalist Carlos Raimundo Alberto remains behind bars for criminal defamation, despite being eligible for parole since mid-November. Similarly, Burundi’s Sandra Muhoza faced detention over a simple WhatsApp post.
CPJ also expressed alarm at Cameroon, where journalists are serving sentences of up to 32 years. Eritrean authorities remain notoriously secretive, imprisoning some journalists for decades with limited legal recourse.
Context and Background
Africa’s jailing of journalists is part of a global trend. CPJ recorded a worldwide tally of 508 journalists behind bars in 2023, the highest since its prison census began in 1992. Of these, charges often revolve around “anti-state activities,” defamation, or dissemination of so-called fake news.
In the Nigerian context, press freedom has steadily declined in recent years, drawing attention from global organizations such as Reporters Without Borders and Amnesty International. Media professionals regularly confront censorship, harassment, and intimidation from government agencies or powerful interest groups.
The implications are dire for Nigeria’s democracy, as a vibrant press is vital to ensuring transparency and accountability. Legal experts emphasize the need to revisit laws that criminalize journalism under vague pretexts, while media stakeholders advocate for better protections for journalists to work without fear.
Calls for Action
The growing repression of journalists in Africa demands urgent action. CPJ has urged governments across the continent to end practices that curtail press freedoms and ensure compliance with international human rights standards.
In light of the report, stakeholders have called for greater advocacy and reforms in countries notorious for persecuting journalists. This includes dismantling laws weaponized against the press and addressing conditions in detention centers.
As Nigeria grapples with this ranking, the spotlight is now on its government to foster an environment where journalists can hold power to account without fear of retaliation. Whether it takes significant steps toward safeguarding press freedom or maintains its trajectory as a repressor of media rights will determine its democratic future.
“Journalists should not be jailed for doing their job,” CPJ concluded. “Governments must stop weaponizing laws to silence dissenting voices, especially in a world where the media is essential to holding power accountable.”
