Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies (JSSHRS) · Research article · Open access
Press Freedom and Individual Privacy Rights in Nigeria: Balancing Constitutional Guarantees and Media Responsibility
Simon Terngu UWUA PhD
9 March 2026 · Vol. 2, Issue 3, pp. 194-197
DOI: 10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E3/2026-03
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What is this article about?
Press freedom and the right to privacy are twin pillars of democratic governance and human dignity. In Nigeria, both rights enjoy constitutional protection under the 1999 Constitution (as amended), yet their coexistence has remained contentious.
Article at a glance
- Published
- 9 March 2026
- Volume / issue / pages
- Vol. 2, Issue 3, pp. 194-197
- ISSN
- 3051-3561 (online) · 3051-3553 (print)
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0 — free to read and reuse with attribution
- Peer review
- Double-blind, at least two independent reviewers
- Publisher
- EP Journals Group
Abstract
Press freedom and the right to privacy are twin pillars of democratic governance and human dignity. In Nigeria, both rights enjoy constitutional protection under the 1999 Constitution (as amended), yet their coexistence has remained contentious. Media investigations, crime reporting, political exposés, and the proliferation of digital and social media have intensified clashes between the public’s right to know and individuals’ claims to privacy. This paper undertakes a doctrinal and analytical examination of the tension between press freedom and individual privacy rights in Nigeria. It analyses the constitutional and statutory framework, judicial attitudes through Nigerian case law, and relevant international and regional human rights instruments. Using the social responsibility and rights-balancing theories, the paper demonstrates that neither press freedom nor privacy is absolute and that Nigerian courts have increasingly adopted a balancing approach anchored in public interest and proportionality. The paper identifies persistent challenges such as weak enforcement, sensational journalism, and technological disruption, and proposes reforms aimed at achieving a principled and predictable balance between media freedom and the protection of individual dignity. It concludes that a responsible press and a coherent legal framework are essential for sustaining democracy and human rights in Nigeria.
Keywords: Press Freedom, Right to Privacy, Nigerian Constitution, Media Law, Human Rights
Cite this article
Simon Terngu UWUA PhD (2026). Press Freedom and Individual Privacy Rights in Nigeria: Balancing Constitutional Guarantees and Media Responsibility. Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies, 2(3), 194-197. https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E3/2026-03
@article{Simon2026,
title = {Press Freedom and Individual Privacy Rights in Nigeria: Balancing Constitutional Guarantees and Media Responsibility},
author = {Simon Terngu UWUA PhD},
journal = {Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies},
year = {2026},
volume = {2},
number = {3},
pages = {194-197},
doi = {10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E3/2026-03},
url = {https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E3/2026-03}
}Questions about this article
Who wrote this article?
Simon Terngu UWUA PhD.
Where and when was it published?
In Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies, Volume 2, Issue 3, pages 194-197, published by EP Journals Group on 9 March 2026.
Is this article free to read?
Yes. It is open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) licence, so anyone can read, share and reuse it with attribution.
What is the DOI of this article?
10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E3/2026-03 (https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E3/2026-03).
How do I cite this article?
APA: Simon Terngu UWUA PhD (2026). Press Freedom and Individual Privacy Rights in Nigeria: Balancing Constitutional Guarantees and Media Responsibility. Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies, 2(3), 194-197. https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E3/2026-03
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