The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has sent a strong warning to security agencies: stop harassing journalists under the guise of the Cybercrime Act or face legal pushback.
Meeting in Jos, Plateau State, on September 17, 2025, the Guild’s Standing Committee — made up of top editors across print, broadcast, news agencies, and online platforms — issued a communique that pulled no punches on issues affecting press freedom, governance, and national security.
The editors condemned what they described as the misuse of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act by law enforcement, particularly the police, to intimidate and detain journalists. They stressed that the law was originally designed to fight financial fraud, identity theft, and cyberattacks — not to silence the media.
“The Guild will no longer tolerate this abuse,” the statement declared, vowing to deploy every legal means to protect press freedom and democracy.
The communique also reminded security agencies of the Ombudsman process created by the Nigerian Press Organisation, which offers a credible system for handling ethical breaches in journalism. “Journalists must also hold themselves to the highest standards of professionalism,” the Guild cautioned, urging practitioners to avoid blackmail or defamation.
Beyond media concerns, the editors tackled national politics, slamming politicians for “careless talk, personal attacks and name-calling” instead of addressing governance issues. They reminded leaders at all levels — federal, state, and local — that their mandate is to deliver on socio-economic wellbeing and security, not to obsess over future elections.
The Guild further called on government and security agencies to step up the fight against banditry, insurgency, kidnapping, and farmer-herder clashes, noting that failure to act was threatening lives, food security, and national peace.
The meeting ended on a warm note, with the NGE thanking Plateau State Governor, Caleb Muftwang, for hosting the editors and fostering harmony among the state’s diverse ethnic groups.
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