The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, in commemoration of the World Press Freedom Day, is set to launch a press freedom training manual.

The training manual is a knowledge product that highlights the constraints to a free and safe press as well as the policies and conditions that facilitate the production of diversified content but avoids the dangers thereof.

The manual aims to deepen the public’s understanding of press freedom and its challenges in Nigeria both under the military and democratic regimes. It also explores the various historic attempts at restoring the dignity of the press in Nigeria and the newfound primacy of digital rights in the press freedom discourse for the 21st Century.

With contributions from six journalism professors from various journalism institutions, this manual extensively dissects the potentialities and challenges that stifle the press, including its regulation.

The event themed State Surveillance And Threats To Journalism Practice In The 21st Century, will be held on May 5th, 2022 at 10:00 am prompt at Fraser Suites Abuja and streamed live here in line with COVID-19 safety protocols.

According to Dr Tobi Oluwatola, “The West African region in the last few years has witnessed a troubling decline into authoritarian regimes, including successful coup d’etats and a shrinking civic space even in ostensibly democratic states. The press freedom manual highlights the dangers of such repressive societies and provides tools for reversing the trend. CJID is humbled to lead this charge with the production of this piece which is sure to be required reading for all journalism education in the region.”

Download a teaser of the manual, here: