The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) have called for a review of the Amended Cybercrime Act, allegedly being used to harass and gag journalists.
The duo made the call in Abuja, at the PPDC media convening tagged, “Exploring Critical Issues and Fostering Collaborations in the Media Landscape.”
The Centre and NUJ called on the Federal Government to engage stakeholders for discourse on the amended Act in order to forestall the recurrent harassment of Journalists and the restrictions from doing their statutory job.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer, PPDC, Jubril Shittu, underscored the relevance of journalists in the protection of rights of common citizens, dissemination of information and as government watchdog.
Represented by Lucy Abagi, PPDC Director of partnership and Innovation, Shittu said the journalists should be protected and unhindered in the discharge of their duties.
Similarly, NUJ Chairman, FCT Correspondents Chapel, Jide Oyekunle, said the cybercrime Act has been a tool in the hands of the security operatives against journalists.
Oyekunle said that the amended Act is very porous, hence, the security personnel are now using it to hunt journalists and suppress press freedom.
He explained that the cyber crime amended Act did not specify the type of publications that can breach public peace and break down law and order in the country.
The Nigeria Union Of Journalists had oftentimes said the Cybercrime Act, has become an instrument used by the authorities to hunt its members. END
Jide Oyekunle-NUJ Chairman, FCT Correspondents, Chapel
-Lucy Abagi-PPDC Representative
SOURCE: swifteradio.com
