Haruna Mohammed Salisu

Haruna Mohammed Salisu is a Nigerian journalist and the founder of WikkiTimes, a local newsroom amplifying voices in northern Nigeria. Currently pursuing graduate studies in Journalism at Indiana University Bloomington, USA, Haruna’s research explores media law, press freedom, and the sustainability of local journalism, with a focus on Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs). His newsroom has endured nine SLAPP-style lawsuits in Nigeria. Under Haruna’s leadership, WikkiTimes became the first Nigerian outlet to join Reporters Shield, a global protection mechanism designed to defend journalists from vexatious legal attacks and safeguard press freedom. In recognition of his courageous journalism, he received the Torch Bearer of Press Freedom Award from the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). His experiences inform both his academic inquiry and advocacy, bridging media law, policy, and journalism to strengthen press freedom and democratic accountability in emerging societies.