The increasing abduction and arrest of journalists in the country by security agencies especially the Nigeria Police Force under the guise of enforcing the Cyber Security Act has become a serious concern to the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).
NGE’s President, Eze Anaba, and the General Secretary, Dr Iyobosa Uwugiaren in a press statement issued at the end of a meeting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, noted that such illegal actions, the guild warned had negative consequences on the press freedom.
The Guild condemned the method of abduction/arrest of journalists, the long detention, and the inhuman treatment they are subjected to, and said it was a negation of a democratic space.
The statement said: “Press freedom is the ability of the media to report news and express opinion without government interference, censorship, or retribution. It is a fundamental human right for a healthy democracy, allowing citizens to access accurate information, hold leaders accountable, and participate in informed public discourse’’.
“The meeting deliberated on the state of the media with emphasis on the increasing spate of abduction and arrest of journalists in the country – under the guise of enforcing the Cyber Security Act, and warned of the implications of such illegal actions on press freedom.
“The professional body of media executives and editors while warning the security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police, against press freedom violation, called for a proper understanding and intention of the Cyber Security Act, declaring that the law was enacted as a legal framework for combating cybercrimes and not for persecuting journalists, who are performing their legitimate duties in a democracy”.
The media professionals also noted that the federal government has all it takes to tackle the country’s insecurity and guarantee peace for all residents, warned dangers of allowing certain territories of the Nigerian states to fall into the hands of terrorists and bandits.
The NGE also called on the federal government to ensure the sustainability of the media industry through robust economic policies and direct interventions but decried the current high cost of living, exacerbated by the harsh economic policies and programmes of the federal government.
- PDP Suspends National Secretary, Other National Officials - November 2, 2025
- Condemn Prisoner Escape From Custodial Centre - November 2, 2025
- Coup Plot: Brigadier General, Colonel, 4 Lieutenant Colonels, Others Under Investigation - November 1, 2025