By John Ogunsemore
Copyright thesun
By John Ogunsemore
The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has vowed to deploy all legal means to protect journalists exercising their freedom of the press against law enforcement agencies abusing the Cybercrime Act.
This is part of an eight-point resolution contained in a communique issued after the NGE Standing Committee meeting held in Jos, Plateau State on September 17, 2025.
A copy of the communique signed by NGE President, Eze Anaba and General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh was sent to The Sun.
The guild is the elite professional body of Managing Directors, Directors of News and Editors in print, broadcast, news agency and online organisation in Nigeria.
The NGE strongly condemned the abuse of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act by law enforcement agents, particularly the police, to harass, intimidate, arrest and illegally detain journalists who are exercising their rights to freedom of the press and thereby undermining 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,” the communique reads in part.
It called for a thorough review of the Cybercrime Act and its use for the original intention, which is to fight cybercrime in relation to financial fraud, identity theft and attacks on computer systems, among others.
The guild reminded 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 communique stated.
The NGE called on journalists to do their job with 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.
It also expressed concerns about the increasing excesses of political actors, both in government and the opposition, and called on them 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 stated.
The guild reminded the three tiers of government – federal, state and local governments – that the main purpose of governance is to address fundamental issues bordering on citizens’ socio-economic wellbeing and security, urging them to focus on governance and stop talking about future elections when they have not fulfilled their social contract in the subsisting term of office.
It urged the federal government and the security agencies to be more proactive and effective in tackling banditry, insurgency, kidnapping, herder-farmer clashes and other vices, for the purposes of saving lives, boosting food security and creating a more conducive environment for Nigerian citizens wherever they live.
The guild thanked the Plateau State governor, Caleb Muftwang, for playing host to editors and for striving to better the lives of the people and ensure a cordial relationship among all ethnic groups in the state.
