…Expresses concerns over increasing excesses of political actors
The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has condemned in strong terms what it called the abuse of the Cybercrime Act by security agencies in the country.
The Guild in a communique jointly signed by Eze Anaba, president, and Onuoha Ukeh, general secretary, said the police, in particular, have used the Act to harass, intimidate, arrest and illegally detain journalists who are exercising their rights to freedom of the press and thereby undermining the country’s democracy and the rule of law.
“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,” it stated.
The communique, which was issued at the end of the NGE’s standing committee meeting held in Jos, Plateau State, also expressed concerns over the increasing excesses of political actors, both in government and the opposition.
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The Guild, therefore, called on political actors to address national issues and governance instead of personal attacks and name-calling.
“The conduct of politicians is worrisome, whether in government or the opposition. They should desist from personal attacks and name-calling.
“They should address issues of governance and proffer solutions. Careless talks heat up the polity, incite people, instigate crisis and are capable of causing breach of peace and security of the nation. This should stop forthwith.”
The Guild, through its communique, urged the federal government and the security agencies to be proactive and effective in tackling the increasing rate of insecurity, for the purposes of saving lives, boosting food security and creating a more conducive environment across the country.
The NGE also called on journalists to go about their job with a high level of professionalism by adhering to the Code of Ethics approved by the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO) and not to engage in any form of blackmail and defamation whatsoever.
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The Guild also reminded the security agencies that the Ombudsman process instituted by the Nigerian Press Organisation is capable of addressing infractions to the code of Journalism ethics as has been proven in the past.
“Security agencies should respect this process by encouraging those who write petitions and making them the arbiter to approach the Ombudsman or seek legal redress instead of making security agencies tool of oppression, intimidation and harassment,” the NGE said.
Similarly, the NGE also thanked the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Muftwang, for hosting the editors, and reminded the three tiers of government to address fundamental issues of governance rather than the ongoing campaign on future elections, even when they have failed to fulfil their social contract in the subsisting term of office.
