Amanze Chinonye
The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has condemned the growing misuse of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act by law enforcement agencies, warning that it will no longer tolerate the harassment and illegal detention of journalists under the guise of enforcing the law.
In a communiqué issued at the end of its Standing Committee meeting held in Jos, Plateau State, on September 17, the NGE described as “unacceptable” the increasing trend of police and other security operatives deploying the Cybercrime Act to intimidate journalists and stifle press freedom.
“The Guild will no longer tolerate this abuse and will use all legal means to ensure the protection of the fundamental human rights of journalists, freedom of the press and freedom of expression,” the statement, jointly signed by NGE President Eze Anaba and General Secretary Onuoha Ukeh, declared.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe editors called for an urgent review of the Act to return it to its original purpose of fighting financial fraud, identity theft, and cyberattacks, rather than being weaponized against the media. They reminded security agencies of the Nigerian Press Organisation’s Ombudsman process, which provides a credible mechanism to address complaints against journalists in line with the Code of Journalism Ethics.
Security agencies, the Guild said, should “encourage petitioners to approach the Ombudsman or seek legal redress instead of turning law enforcement into tools of oppression, intimidation and harassment.”
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While urging journalists to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and shun blackmail or defamatory practices, the NGE also expressed deep concern over the “increasing excesses” of political actors in both government and opposition.
“The conduct of politicians is worrisome,” the communiqué stated, warning that reckless statements and personal attacks only inflame tensions and threaten national peace. Politicians were advised to focus on governance and proffer solutions to Nigeria’s pressing socio-economic challenges rather than heating up the polity with careless rhetoric.
The Guild further reminded all tiers of government to concentrate on improving the welfare and security of citizens instead of prematurely discussing future elections. It urged the federal government and security agencies to be more proactive in tackling banditry, insurgency, kidnapping, herder-farmer clashes, and other crimes that endanger lives and food security.
The editors expressed appreciation to Plateau State Governor Caleb Muftwang for hosting the meeting and for his efforts to foster peace and development across the state’s diverse ethnic communities.
The NGE, an elite body of managing directors, news directors, and senior editors across Nigeria’s print, broadcast, online, and news agency platforms, reaffirmed its commitment to defending press freedom and holding government accountable to the people.
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