World Press Freedom Day is a vital reminder of the importance of independent journalism and the essential role a free press plays in society. As we mark the global observance of this day, we recognize the courageous work of corps members who risk their safety to uncover truth, expose injustice, and keep the public informed.  We’ve spotlighted some of their stories below.

At Report for the World, we stand firm in our commitment to supporting the future of local journalism that keeps communities informed, empowered, and engaged. Join us in our work to help keep the free press free— give today.

Daniel Ojukwu, Foundation for Investigative Journalism 

Police character certificates (PCCs) are official proof that the holder has no criminal background in Nigeria, which is necessary for Nigerians to invest or obtain residence permits abroad. Nigerians can apply for them online by paying a N30,000 fee and passing the background check that searches criminal databases. However, some residents reported that police were demanding an extra N50,000 to issue the documents already paid for, or circumventing the system and issuing PCCs to anyone who paid the N50,000 fee to them, despite any criminal record. Corps member Daniel Ojukwu investigated the issue and, after applying for a PCC using a prison inmate’s information and paying an officer a N45,000 bribe, he received the illegitimate documentation. His reporting led to multiple policemen involved in fraud being arrested and dismissed. Further, the Nigerian Police Force has proposed a new model for obtaining character certificates to reduce corruption in the system.

Atlatszo

This series of collaborative investigative and visual reports uncovered the scandal of how a mayor wasted EU funds on building a treetop walkway in the middle of an unforested area. When the newsroom faced legal pushback from the mayor, they leveraged the information provided in court to create a virtual walk detailing just how much the mayor had spent. Citing Atlatszo’s coverage, the Hungarian Integrity Authority filed a complaint and issued an investigation at the Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH). The mayor lost the case he filed against Atlatszo.