NUJ Demands Creation of Media Bailout Fund, Constitutional Protection for Journalists
By Exponent News, Akure — 16th July 2025
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called for the constitutional protection of media professionals and the creation of a Media Bailout Fund to support struggling independent media organisations across Nigeria.
The demand was presented on Friday in Akure, the Ondo State capital, during the South West Zonal Public Hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution, organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Constitutional Review.
Representing the NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, at the hearing was the Ondo State NUJ Chairman, Prince Leke Adegbite. Abdullahi highlighted the crucial role of the media in informing the public about government activities and fostering democratic engagement.
In his submission, Abdullahi emphasised the urgent need to address escalating threats to press freedom, journalist safety, and the economic sustainability of independent media outlets across the country.
He described journalism as a fundamental pillar of democracy and transparency, warning that continued threats to media professionals and the financial instability of media houses pose a broader national risk that could undermine good governance and social cohesion.
Citing Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates the press to hold the government accountable to the people, Abdullahi insisted that the media’s constitutional role in promoting transparency, accountability, and democratic participation must be protected and enhanced.
“Journalists act as the fourth estate of the realm—holding power accountable, exposing corruption, and scrutinising government actions. When their safety is compromised, their ability to carry out this essential duty is severely weakened,” he stated.
The NUJ proposed the inclusion of specific provisions in the amended Constitution that guarantee the safety and security of journalists and their equipment. Abdullahi argued that such provisions would reinforce the rights to freedom of expression, life, and liberty while combating the culture of impunity surrounding attacks on journalists.
On the economic front, the NUJ called for the establishment of a Media Bailout Fund targeted specifically at private and independently owned media organisations.
Abdullahi explained that many media outlets are facing severe financial hardship due to declining advertising revenue and increasing operational costs—challenges that threaten the survival of independent journalism in Nigeria.
“Independent media provide a platform for diverse voices, enhance public discourse, and support editorial independence. A well-managed bailout fund would help shield the media from commercial and political pressures, preserve jobs, and sustain investigative journalism,” he explained.
He stressed that any bailout fund must be governed by principles of transparency and accountability and be managed by an independent body free from government interference. Clear eligibility criteria, he added, must be set to ensure that only genuinely struggling and independent media outlets benefit.
The NUJ also urged lawmakers to align Nigeria’s press freedom laws with international best practices, citing examples of countries that have adopted media bailout frameworks to sustain journalism as a public good.
Abdullahi called on the committee to take decisive action through the constitutional review process to ensure that journalists can operate freely and that independent media can thrive.
He concluded by stating that the adoption of the NUJ’s proposals would strengthen Nigeria’s democratic foundation and empower citizens through access to credible and diverse sources of information.
