Media Rights Agenda

02/06/2026

The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), under its Collaborative Media Engagement for Development, Inclusivity and Accountability ( ) project, invites Nigerian newsroom editors to apply for the June Masterclass: ‘Sustaining Impact: Funding, Partnerships, and Newsroom Resilience.’

If you are an editor, managing editor, or newsroom leader in Nigeria looking to diversify revenue, secure strategic partnerships, and drive long-term impact, this is for you.

📅 Date: Tuesday, June 30, 2026

🚨 Application Deadline: Monday, 8 June 2026

🔗 Apply here: https://tinyurl.com/CMEDIAmasterclass

01/06/2026

📚✊ HISTORY REMEMBERS THOSE WHO STOOD FOR FREEDOM!

We are honoured that Media Rights Agenda (MRA) was recognised by the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) for our contributions to Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggles and the defence of fundamental rights. The recognition came during the unveiling of The NADECO Story, a book documenting the sacrifices, resilience, and courage of individuals and organisations that fought for the restoration of democracy in Nigeria.

The struggle for democracy did not end in 1999. Every day, citizens, journalists, civil society organisations, and human rights defenders continue the work of protecting freedom of expression, access to information, media freedom, and democratic accountability.

As we celebrate this recognition, we want to hear from you:
👉 What do you think is the biggest threat to democracy in Nigeria today?
👉 Do you believe enough is being done to protect press freedom and citizens' rights?
👉 Which pro-democracy hero or organisation has inspired you the most?
Share your thoughts in the comments and tag someone who should join this conversation.

Together, let's keep the conversation about democracy, accountability, and freedom alive. 🇳🇬

Media Rights Agenda (MRA) is among a long list of individuals and organizations that were honoured in Lagos on May 20, 2026, for their contributions to the

28/05/2026

Lagos, Thursday, May 28, 2026: Media Rights Agenda (MRA) today announced Ms. Blessing Oladunjoye, a journalist and publisher of BONews Service, and Mr. R

28/05/2026

MRA Announces Winners of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan Freedom of Information Awards

Media Rights Agenda (MRA) today announced Ms. Blessing Oladunjoye, a journalist and publisher of BONews Service, and Mr. Remmy Nweke, Group Executive Editor of ITREALMS Media Group, as winners in the two categories of the maiden edition of the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan Freedom of Information Awards, established to recognize and celebrate journalistic excellence in advancing the right of access to information under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011.

See details in the comments section

25/05/2026

The Media Rights Agenda on Monday called for the development and adoption of a comprehensive Pan-African framework on artificial intelligence grounded in human rights, democratic accountability, and inclusion. This was noted in a statement commemorating Africa Day.
Details in comment

25/05/2026

As Artificial Intelligence continues to shape our societies, economies, and democracies, Africa cannot afford to be left behind or governed by frameworks that ignore our realities. Media Rights Agenda is calling for a Pan-African AI framework rooted in human rights, accountability, inclusion, and digital justice for all Africans. This conversation is critical for the future of freedom of expression, privacy, access to information, and democratic governance across the continent. Read, share, and join the conversation.👇

Lagos, Monday, May 25, 2026: Media Rights Agenda (MRA) today called for the development and adoption of a comprehensive Pan-African framework on Artificial

04/05/2026

Nigeria cannot claim to uphold democracy while journalists continue to face harassment, arrests, and violence without consequences. In this powerful statement, Media Rights Agenda calls on the Federal Government to finally obey a 2024 court judgment ordering it to investigate and punish those responsible for attacks on journalists, an order that has remained largely ignored, fueling a dangerous culture of impunity. With press freedom under increasing threat and journalists risking their lives to hold power accountable, this is a timely reminder that protecting the media is not optional, it is essential to safeguarding the public’s right to know.

Read more:

Lagos, Sunday, May 3, 2026: Media Rights Agenda (MRA) today urged the Federal Government to take urgent steps to comply with a February 16, 2024, judgment of

04/05/2026

The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has urged the federal government to take urgent steps to comply with a February 16, 2024, judgment of a Federal High Court in Abuja directing it to investigate, prosecute, and punish perpetrators of all attacks against journalists and other media practitioners, and take measures to prevent further attacks.

Read more:
https://dailytrust.com/investigate-attacks-on-journalists-mra-urges-fg/

03/05/2026

Lagos, Sunday, May 3, 2026: Media Rights Agenda (MRA) today urged the Federal Government to take urgent steps to comply with a February 16, 2024, judgmen

27/04/2026

Your favourite journalist could be sued for doing their job. Your child's textbook could be locked behind a paywall. And the government could use "copyright" to hide information from you.

This is not fiction. This is what happens when intellectual property laws are outdated — and Nigeria's are.

On World IP Day, Media Rights Agenda (MRA) says that every Nigerian needs to read. MRA’s Programme Officer, Ms Ayomide Eweje, laid it out plainly: "Nigeria needs an intellectual property protection system that is modern, efficient, rights-respecting, and development-oriented. But the current frameworks discourage creativity and investment, and restrict access, innovation, and freedom of expression."

Here's what MRA says must change 👇
📌 Laws that reflect today's reality — AI-generated works, digital content, and online use are not covered. Innovators and creators are operating in legal grey areas.
📌 Stronger protections for education and journalism — Without clear exceptions, IP law can shut down investigative reporting and block students from learning materials.
📌 Stop using copyright to hide public information — Government institutions are already invoking IP claims to deny FOI requests. That needs to end.
📌 Open access for government-funded research — If public money paid for it, the public should be able to read it.
📌 Clarity on takedowns — Poorly designed content removal systems don't just fight piracy. They enable censorship.

As MRA put it: "Intellectual property protection must not become a tool for restricting legitimate access to information or suppressing public discourse."

Nigeria's creative economy is booming. Nollywood. Afrobeats. Tech. Literature. But the legal foundation protecting, and sometimes suffocating, all of it is stuck in another era.

So here's the question for your timeline today:
👉 Should Nigeria's IP laws be reformed to protect creators AND the public's right to access knowledge? Or do stricter protections better serve our creative industries?

Drop your thoughts below. Tag a lawyer, journalist, content creator, or educator who needs to see this. 👇
🔗 Read the full MRA statement: https://mediarightsagenda.org/mra-calls-for-reform-of-intellectual-property-laws-in-nigeria-to-make-them-rights-respecting/

Lagos, Sunday, April 26, 2026: Media Rights Agenda (MRA) today called for a comprehensive reform of intellectual property frameworks in Nigeria to make them