Investigative journalism remains one of the most powerful tools for exposing wrongdoing and defending public interest. However, practitioners must now contend with an increasingly hostile environment where threats extend far beyond the field.

This reality took centre stage at the Civic Space Guard Holistic Safety Workshop for Investigative Reporters organised by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), where media professionals were urged to place safety, preparedness and legal protection at the heart of their work.

The two day virtual workshop which kicked off day today, held as part of activities marking the 20th anniversary of WSCIJ, brought together journalists from across Nigeria to examine the physical, digital, legal and psychological dangers that often accompany investigative reporting.

Opening the programme, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of WSCIJ, Motunrayo Alaka, painted a sobering picture of the realities confronting journalists globally and locally.

She stressed that investigative reporting may serve society, but it can also expose journalists to surveillance, intimidation, detention, lawsuits and other forms of retaliation.

Reflecting on the Centre’s two decades of work supporting accountability journalism, Alaka noted that safety can no longer be treated as an afterthought. Instead, she argued, it must become an integral part of a journalist’s professional culture.

According to her, journalists increasingly face complex threats that now stretch beyond physical attacks to include cyber harassment, digital surveillance, financial vulnerabilities and psychological trauma.

Consequently, reporters must develop a heightened awareness of their surroundings, assess risks before embarking on assignments and remain vigilant throughout the reporting process.

Drawing examples from notable cases around the world, she highlighted how journalists have endured prolonged legal battles, arbitrary detention, intimidation and, in some instances, fatal consequences for pursuing sensitive stories.

She warned that investigative journalism should never be approached merely for excitement or recognition, stressing that reporters must fully understand the risks attached to the profession.

WATCH  ALSO:  MARKETING EDGE ONTV HOST ADETUNJI OYEBANJI

Furthermore, Alaka urged journalists to cultivate strong documentation habits, noting that meticulous record keeping can strengthen future investigations, support legal defence and preserve institutional memory.

She revealed that experienced investigative journalists often maintain archives spanning decades because stories frequently require follow up investigations years after publication.

In addition, she encouraged reporters to adopt practical security measures, including securing digital devices, protecting communications, backing up documents, covering webcams when not in use and remaining alert to suspicious activities within their environments.

While emphasising personal responsibility, she also challenged media organisations to strengthen their commitment to staff welfare. According to her, institutions must provide safety training, legal backing, psychosocial support and adequate resources for reporters assigned to sensitive investigations.

“Journalists should not be left to navigate threats alone,” she maintained, adding that media organisations have a duty to protect those who undertake difficult assignments on behalf of the public.

Building on that foundation, Managing Editor of Premium Times, Idris Akinbajo, delivered a practical session on field safety, offering reporters a structured approach for identifying and managing risks before, during and after investigations.

Akinbajo observed that no amount of preparation can eliminate every danger. Nevertheless, he insisted that thoughtful planning can significantly reduce exposure to threats.

To achieve this, he introduced participants to what he described as the ATRM framework, a risk assessment model designed to help journalists systematically evaluate vulnerabilities before undertaking assignments.

He explained that the first step involves identifying assets, including reporters, sources, equipment, vehicles and sensitive information. Thereafter, journalists must identify potential threats, whether they originate from government actors, criminal networks, politically exposed persons, hostile organisations or even competing interests.

ALSO WATCH: CWAY SUPERKIDS CHILDREN’S DAY CELEBRATION

Once those threats have been identified, reporters must evaluate the risks associated with them, including physical attacks, harassment campaigns, surveillance, reputational damage, lawsuits and attempts to compromise confidential sources.

Most importantly, he stressed that journalists should develop mitigation strategies before entering the field. These measures may include establishing communication plans, identifying safe locations, mapping exit routes, securing transportation arrangements and maintaining regular contact with editors and trusted colleagues.

Akinbajo further advised reporters to constantly assess their environment and exercise sound judgment, especially in volatile situations.

“Sometimes the safest decision is not to proceed as originally planned,” he noted, explaining that situational awareness often determines whether a journalist can safely complete an assignment.

Equally important, he urged journalists to maintain comprehensive records of interviews, correspondence, notes and supporting documents, explaining that such materials frequently become critical when stories are challenged long after publication.

The workshop’s legal safety session was led by Managing Editor, Northern Operations of The Nation newspaper, Yusuf Alli, who challenged participants to evaluate every investigative report through a simple but critical question: Can the story be defended?

For Alli, the strongest protection available to any investigative journalist remains an unwavering commitment to truth. He argued that factual accuracy, fairness and public interest constitute the foundation upon which defensible journalism is built. Therefore, reporters must ensure that every allegation, document and claim can withstand rigorous scrutiny before publication.

According to him, public interest remains one of the most powerful legal shields available to journalists. Whenever investigative reports come under attack, the ability to demonstrate that a story serves the public good often becomes a critical line of defence.

At the same time, he cautioned journalists against rushing stories to publication without adequate verification. Using recent examples of inaccurate reports that spread rapidly before facts emerged, Alli warned that haste frequently creates avoidable legal and ethical problems.

Consequently, he urged journalists to rely on verifiable documentary evidence, cross check information from multiple sources and thoroughly fact check every detail before publication.

Beyond accuracy, he emphasised the importance of protecting confidential sources, encrypting communications, safeguarding sensitive records and collaborating with trusted networks when handling high risk investigations.

Alli also encouraged journalists to develop a working knowledge of media law, arguing that even a basic understanding of legal principles can help reporters identify potentially problematic content before publication. Moreover, he recommended seeking legal reviews for sensitive stories and consulting experienced media lawyers whenever uncertainty arises.

Drawing from the experiences of pioneering investigative publications, he explained that some of the most successful investigative newsrooms routinely subjected major reports to legal scrutiny before publication, thereby reducing exposure to unnecessary litigation.

Intensively, he advised journalists to apply a personal ethical test before releasing any report. Reporters, he said, should ask whether a story is true, fair, beneficial to the public and capable of withstanding scrutiny from all sides.

ALSO WATCH:MARKETING EDGE ONTV HOSTS YBO

For Alli, the answer to defending an investigative story begins not in the courtroom but in the newsroom. He maintained that integrity, diligence, fairness and devotion to truth remain the most reliable safeguards available to journalists navigating increasingly difficult reporting environments.

Above all, the sessions reinforced a common message: investigative journalism remains indispensable to democracy, yet journalists must approach the profession with greater caution, stronger preparation and deeper awareness of the risks involved.

As attacks on civic space continue to evolve and pressure on journalists intensifies, the workshop concluded that the future of accountability reporting will depend not only on courage and determination but also on the ability of journalists to protect themselves while pursuing the truth.