World Press Freedom Day: NAWOJ Anambra Urges Fact-Checking, Stakeholder Collaboration
By Chizoba Njaka
On World Press Freedom Day 2026, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Anambra State Chapter, has called for unwavering press freedom and vigilance against misinformation, amid a global decline in media independence.
The commemoration highlights how press freedom and independent journalism underpin peace, economic recovery, sustainable development, and human rights. According to UNESCO’s World Trends Report 2022–2025, press freedom has seen its sharpest drop since 2012, rivaling the instability of the World Wars and Cold War eras. Challenges include AI-driven information manipulation eroding trust and security, economic pressures on independent media, and a over 60% rise in self-censorship due to harassment, judicial threats, and financial strain.
In an online interview, NAWOJ Anambra Chairperson, Comrade Tochukwu Ifejika, emphasized the press's role as society's watchdog. "On World Press Freedom Day, it's all about creating awareness for the freedom of the press," she said. "The press needs the freedom to operate effectively and optimally. Yes, the press should not be gagged. As the watchdog in this society, we set the agenda, we frame issues, and we hold power to account. We're not supposed to be inhibited by any clauses from governments or influential people. It should be free for us to do our job according to the dictates of journalistic ethics."
Comrade Ifejika urged colleagues to prioritize fact-checking amid rampant fake news. "As we create awareness, i call on fellow journalists to be aware of misinformation and fake news. We should not be carried away by the waves of breaking news. We must get our facts right because we are the primary source of information, education, and entertainment. That's the core work of a journalist to be factual and accurate."
She stressed cross-verification before publication: "In this case of fake news infiltration, be on the watch for it, get your sources right, your news right, your stories right. Before we go to press, we must confirm that what we're dishing out is actually the facts." She called on journalists and stakeholders to collaborate for true press freedom.
The event aligns global efforts to unite journalism, technology including AI and human rights advocates in strengthening information ecosystems.