German Consul General Börner Calls for Greater Media Freedom in Nigeria

The Consul General of Germany in Lagos, Weert Börner, has stressed the importance of safeguarding media freedom in Nigeria, highlighting its role in promoting transparency, accountability, and informed citizenship. 

Börner emphasised that a free and resilient media is essential to a democratic society, as it empowers citizens with reliable information across diverse sectors.

Speaking on Thursday at a policy dialogue organized by BusinessDay Media in collaboration with the BusinessDay Foundation, with support from the Consulate General of Germany in Lagos, Börner expressed his support for Nigeria’s journalists, stressing that media freedom is not only vital for democracy but must also never be taken for granted.

Börner cited Nigeria’s 112th ranking out of 180 countries on the 2024 Press Freedom Index, compiled by Reporters Without Borders. While Nigeria’s position on the index might suggest some level of press freedom, the Consul General noted the dangerous environment Nigerian journalists face, including government monitoring, harassment, and arbitrary arrests.

“The report clearly states that being a journalist in Nigeria is a risky job,”Börner said. “Even I, as a foreign observer, I’m aware of several severe cases, especially during the 2023 election campaign and the national protests in August 2024.” He read from the index report, which highlighted “significant governmental interference” in the media landscape, with tactics ranging from harassment to outright censorship. He called for a concerted effort to improve the working environment for the press in Nigeria.

“The working environment of the fourth estate and of independent media deserves more attention in both our countries and beyond. Therefore, our gathering today is really important in highlighting the challenges facing the fourth estate in Nigeria. We jointly have to find ways and means to protect the freedom of the press and independent media in Nigeria.”

The dialogue also featured insights from Richard Ikiebe, Chairman of the Board at BusinessDay Media. Ikiebe reflected on the history of Nigerian media, noting that the sector has encountered numerous challenges from the colonial period to the present. He pointed out that an over-dependence on external funding, particularly from political interests, has weakened the media’s ability to serve its accountability function effectively.

Ikiebe argued that the media’s sustainability relies on balancing its roles as both a business and a vocation. 

He encouraged the industry to prioritize delivering relevant news to the public while simultaneously exploring viable business models that reduce financial dependence on political patrons. “To fulfill its mandate, the media must become more relevant to the ordinary Nigerian,” Ikiebe stressed.

Chioma Kalu

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