IPI: Cybercrime Act Undermining Media Freedom, Free Expression in Nigeria

Dike Onwuamaeze

The Executive Director of the International Press Institute (IPI) Global, Mr. Frane Maroevic, has stated that Nigeria’s Cybercrime Act was being used to undermine media freedom and free expression in the country.

Maroevic, also said the rich and powerful individuals in the society were deploying law suits as strategic tools to silence journalists, media organisations and those that seek to uncover the truth, express dissenting opinion and hold those in power accountable.

He expressed these views yesterday in a virtual goodwill message he delivered to senior journalists in Lagos State, participating in a two-day training with the theme “How to Avoid Slapp Suits and Remain Ethical,” which was  organised by the IPI Nigeria, in support of MacArthur Foundation,  with focus on media law, ethics and fact checking.

Maroevic said: “Laws are essential but can be misused. We are also looking at navigating Nigeria’s new cybercrime act and how it has been used to undermine media freedom and free expression.

“One of the key threats to journalism today comes from the legal tools deployed by the rich and the powerful in the use of strategic law suits that are intended to silence journalists, media organisations and individuals that seek to uncover the truth, express dissenting opinions and hold those in power accountable.

“Law suits are not just devised; there are attempts to undermine the very foundation of free press by bordering journalists with legal and financial pressures with intentions to deterring them from pursuing important stories.

“This training will give you an insight on how these are developed and how you can equip yourselves with tools to navigate them.”

The IPI’s global executive director added that the training was meant to enhance media capacity and foster ethical journalism practice in demonstration of the IPI’s long standing commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s media landscape.

He said: “For decades, the IPI has stood as the bastion for free press, for the protection of journalists and the empowerment of media in Nigeria.

“The IPI is an important part of Nigeria’s media landscape. It engages with Nigerian journalists and media organisations and government bodies to promote an environment for press freedom” by providing expertise, resources and solidarity to journalists for their dedication to truth.”

According to Maroevic, the role of media organisations has become more critical today that information travel at the speed of light and driving change in the society.  Therefore, “a well informed and empowered media not only serve as a bastion of democracy but also as bridge that connect societies and amplify voices that otherwise will remain unheard.

“In the light of these responsibilities the need for an independent and ethical journalism has become paramount,” he said.

The IPI Nigeria President, Mr. Musikilu Mojeed, in his remarks titled “Why the Training,” said  since its establishment in 1950, the IPI has consistently crusaded for journalists’ rights and media freedom in every corner of the world.

Mojeed, said given recent developments in Nigeria that have threatened media independence and survival the IPI Nigeria decided to organise this meeting for robust interactions on media laws, ethics and fact checking.

“We believe that this will equip us with skills we need to get around obnoxious laws that are targeted at the media. We believe that this will reduce media organisations’ exposures to damaging law suits.

“Ultimately, we believe that our engagements will contribute to the strengthening of our (country’s) democracy by helping the media to promote accountability and transparency in governance,” he said.

He regretted that for performing the responsibilities entrusted on it by Section 22 of the Nigeria’s constitution to hold government accountable to the people, “the Nigerian journalist are routinely harassed, assaulted, arrested, detained, incarcerated, and sometimes killed.”

Mojeed also enjoined journalists and media organisation to be wary of opening doors that could give governments the ground to crush its freedom in a paper he presented on, “Operational Practices That Can Trigger Media Repression.”

He said: “If you are doing accountable journalism, ensure that you do the right things, obey the laws and create no loopholes. The important thing is to consistently obey laws.

“Accountability journalism is risky. You are the hunter. Do not become the hunted.”

Other experts that presented paper yesterday were a Professor of Mass Communication, Prof. Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika who presented a paper on “Understanding Media Codes and Ethics” while Deputy Director of News, AriseTV, Mr. Tobi Sonyi and the Director of Media Law Centre, Mr. Richard Akinnola, presented papers on “Legal Loopholes Editors Must Avoid: Most Dangerous Laws to Pay Attention To” and “Case Studies on Legal Challenges Newsrooms Face,” respectively.

The IPI Nigeria Board Chairman, Mr. Kabiru A. Yusuf and Director, MacArthur Foundation, Dr. Kole Shettima also sent virtual goodwill messages to the participants.