The 17th Wole Soyinka Centre Media Lecture, held virtually on July 13, 2025, brought together experts to discuss the theme “Surveillance, safety and the silencing of truth.”
Speakers warned of the growing threat of surveillance and digital attacks on journalists in Africa, which undermines democracy and press freedom.
The speakers called for urgent action to protect journalists from escalating surveillance and digital threats.
They advocated for comprehensive legal reforms, improved digital safety mechanisms, and recognition of the importance of privacy in journalism.
The speakers also emphasized the need for stronger resistance to digital repression, better institutional protections for journalists, and increased awareness of the broader implications of surveillance.
Angela Quintal, Regional Director for Africa at the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), highlighted the hidden war being waged against journalists through spyware, metadata harvesting, and transnational monitoring.
Fisayo Soyombo, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), criticized the Nigerian government’s prioritization of surveillance over public safety.
The speakers also discussed the need for stronger protection mechanisms for journalists, particularly women and those working outside major cities.
Sonja Smith, Associated Press correspondent, shared experiences from Namibia, highlighting the challenges journalists face in Southern Africa.
The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) emphasized the need to treat surveillance and the suppression of dissent as a broader societal threat.
The Centre highlighted its support services for journalists, including mental health and psychosocial support, and research efforts to track and analyze threats against Nigeria’s civic space.
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