The Nigerian Guild of Editors has condemned the rising trend of journalist abductions and arrests by security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, under the pretext of enforcing the CyberSecurity Act.
This was stated in a press release signed by NGE President, Mr. Eze Anaba, and General Secretary, Dr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren, following the NGE Standing Committee meeting in Port Harcourt over the weekend.
The NGE criticized the misuse of the Cyber Security Act to target journalists, warning that such actions threaten press freedom.
The NGE emphasized that the Act was designed to combat cybercrimes, not to persecute journalists performing their democratic duties.
The editors condemned the abduction methods, prolonged detentions, and inhumane treatment inflicted on journalists, calling them a violation of democratic principles.
The NGE also highlighted the harsh economic conditions affecting the media industry in Nigeria and urged the federal government to implement policies to support media sustainability.