Women in journalism are urging media owners and managers to take full responsibility for protecting reporters under their employment, particularly female staff, when they encounter threats or attacks during their professional duties.
These dangers, they noted, include online harassment, sexist abuse, and physical assaults.
This position was outlined in a communiqué issued after a two-day workshop on the safety of female journalists, organised by the Media Rights Agenda (MRA) in Abuja. The communiqué was released by MRA’s Executive Director, Edetaen Ojo, on Friday.
The workshop, supported by the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) and the Safety and Justice Grant, brought together 23 female journalists from August 12 to 13 in Abuja. Ojo explained that the training responded to an increasingly hostile climate for journalists, especially women, who face specific gender-related threats alongside other professional risks.
Sessions covered topics such as gendered and non-gendered attacks, protection strategies against online and physical harm, relevant legal protections, and how to create safer newsroom environments.
The communiqué recommended that female journalists be encouraged and trained to carry out regular risk assessments and evaluate the safety of reporting locations in advance. It also proposed incorporating mentorship, peer learning, and knowledge exchange to help women journalists design clear emergency response strategies when confronted with immediate dangers or escalating risks.
Participants called for the establishment of a nationwide protective network linking female journalists across different media outlets and regions, fostering solidarity and mutual support. Such a network, they suggested, could be anchored by the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ).
The communiqué further urged media organisations to meet their obligations by providing safe transport, secure accommodation, and financial support for female journalists, particularly for late-night assignments or high-risk coverage.
Reaffirming their commitment to protecting their rights and safety, the participants appealed to government agencies, professional associations, media regulators, civil society groups, and international partners to recognise that safeguarding women journalists is essential to press freedom, democratic governance, and sustainable progress.