December 05, (THEWILL) — The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Nsibiet John, has refuted in strong terms, allegations of media repression in the state, describing a recent report by the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria as “false, unfounded and inconsistent with reality.”
Speaking in Uyo yesterday, during a media symposium to mark 2025’s NUJ Press Week, Comrade John said he carefully reviewed the concerns raised by IPI’s Mojeed Misikilu but found “no evidence whatsoever” to support claims of intimidation or censorship of journalists in Akwa Ibom.
“That claim is unfounded and baseless. Media repression means harassing or arresting journalists for doing their jobs. I am not aware of any such incident in Akwa Ibom NUJ under my administration”, he asserted.
The NUJ chairman challenged the methodology and credibility of the IPI report, describing its yardstick as “misleading and not rooted in verifiable facts.” He maintained that the union in Akwa Ibom upholds a strict zero-tolerance policy for any form of intimidation against journalists.
“As Chairman, I cannot fold my arms and watch any form of harassment or censorship of the media without raising an alarm. If there were any attack or intimidation of journalists, I would be the first to speak out”, he stated.
Comrade John urged IPI to re-evaluate its position and engage directly with stakeholders in the state before making public assertions that could be “sensational or detached from realities on the ground.”
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to safeguarding press freedom, he insisted that the media environment in Akwa Ibom remains open, safe, and conducive for journalism practice.
“The NUJ in Akwa Ibom remains committed to protecting the rights and interests of journalists. We will continue to uphold the values of truth, objectivity, and fairness, both in our practice and in the defence of our members”, he added.
He cautioned against narratives capable of distorting the state’s image or undermining the work of journalists, insisting that Akwa Ibom’s media space is neither repressed nor under threat.
