By Charles Pemu 
ABUJA—The Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) has issued a distress call, warning that the current harsh economic environment has pushed the nation’s media industry to the brink of collapse, severely impacting employment and the freedom of the press.
Speaking at the All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) in Abuja, themed “Democracy, Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors,” NGE President Mr. Eze Anaba lamented that the economic reality has forced several media houses to shut down, while others are struggling to remain operational and are unable to pay workers’ salaries. This crisis, he noted, directly contributes to a surge in unemployment as experienced journalists are sent back into the labour market.
To save the media from extinction and ensure its viability as a critical component of democracy, the NGE is urgently soliciting comprehensive executive and legislative assistance.
Anaba outlined key financial interventions required, including a plea for corporate tax relief to be granted to media houses for a period of about ten years, along with general tax exemption. The Guild also called for the establishment of specialized low-interest loans and a dedicated digital transformation and innovation fund to help the industry navigate the modern landscape.
Beyond financial rescue, the NGE stressed that legal and safety frameworks must be overhauled. The Guild specifically called for the immediate repeal of laws that inhibit press freedom in Nigeria. Furthermore, to protect journalists from the increasingly hostile environment they operate in, Anaba proposed the creation of a Media Freedom and Safety Charter.
The NGE’s demands underscore a dual crisis—economic hardship that threatens the survival of media houses and a restrictive legal environment that undermines the ability of editors to effectively play their role in democracy, governance, and promoting national cohesion.