May 3rd is designated as World Press Freedom Day; however, despite this, press freedom remains unchanged, with an increase in arbitrary arrests and imprisonments of journalists, sacrificing their duty. Many journalists have been killed, while others have disappeared without a trace. Journalism is one of the pillars that strengthen democracy and also serves as a watchdog for both private and government sectors worldwide.
Global human rights body, Amnesty International, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari's government was characterised with media and journalists suppression, violation of activists’ freedom of expression and peaceful assembly . The AI stated this in its 2022 report where it pointed out that the National Broadcasting Commission suspended some broadcast stations and programmes for alleged violation of broadcast code.
A Kwara State-based journalist, Dare Akogun, has narrated what he experienced during the time he spent at the Nigerian Correctional Service centre in Ilorin, the state capital. Akogun, a Senior News Editor with Ilorin-based private radio station Sobi FM, said this during a visit to the prison service while celebrating his birthday with inmates at the Mandala Medium Custodian Centre, Ilorin. Akogun shared food items to the 430 inmates during his visit at the centre and donated clothing and other items.