[5] In 1972, when he learned that martial law had been declared, he ran to the National Press Club building to warn its officers Antonio Zumel and Eddie Monteclaro, so they could escape the first wave of arrests.
[1][5] As president of the National Press Club from 1984 to 1986, the organization's office became "a refuge and haven for harassed journalists who needed protection from the dictatorship.
[9] In 1985, Nieva, as president of the National Press Club, played a key role in the escape of journalist Satur Ocampo, who had been detained by the military for nine years and tortured.
Marcos and then defense secretary Juan Ponce Enrile gave their permission for Ocampo to attend the organization's annual election of officers.
[12] Nieva's name was added to the Bantayog ng mga Bayani Wall of Remembrance on November 30, 2017, for his contributions to the fight against the injustices of the dictatorship under President Ferdinand E.
[4][5][13][14] The recognition came in the same year as that of 10 others, including activist-priest Joe Dizon, businessman and diplomat Alfonso Yuchengco, and tribesmen Lumbaya Gayudan and Tayab Arthur Aboli, who led their fellow Kalingas to oppose the construction of the Chico River Dam after the murder of their leader Macli-ing Dulag.