3 hours ago
1 ARTICLE AD
The Committee to Protect Journalists has criticised the amended Cybercrimes Act in Nigeria, stating that it has failed to safeguard journalists from being unjustly targeted.
According to CPJ’s annual prison census released on Thursday, four journalists in Nigeria remain imprisoned under the amended law, which was revised in February 2024.
The amendments to the Cybercrimes Act were made following extensive campaigns by media rights groups and journalists who raised concerns about the law being used to criminalise “stalking” and intimidate the press.
“Despite reforms to the country’s Cybercrimes Act in February 2024, it continues to be used to summon, intimidate, and detain journalists for their work,” the CPJ report reads.
The CPJ’s report reveals that the law continued to be exploited to summon, detain, and harass journalists for their work.
The organisation noted that its data did not include journalists who were imprisoned and later released during the year, as they remained on CPJ’s list until their release is confirmed or their death in custody is reported.
“Journalists remain on CPJ’s list until the organisation determines with reasonable certainty that they have been released or have died in custody,” the organisation said.
The report also identified Bangladesh, Jordan, Nicaragua, and Pakistan as countries that have used similar legislation to suppress journalistic activities under the guise of combating cybercrime.
CPJ called on the governments of the affected countries to repeal or reform laws that pose risks to press freedom and to ensure that new legislation does not contain provisions that could hinder journalism.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]
