In commemoration of world Press Freedom Day, 2025, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, in conjunction with the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, over the weekend, organized a press conference on how to put an end to various forms of injustice against journalist in Nigeria, which seems to have been affecting the boldness, credibility, and ability of media practitioners to carry out their legitimate duties as watchdogs to State Actors, who are also known as government officials.

During the Press Conference held in Ikeja the capital of Lagos State, Nigeria Guild of Editors also decried how governments at various levels have and are currently weaponizing  the Cybercrime Act, 2015, to stifle peaceful dissent and restrict the freedom of journalists in Nigeria.

The guild also revealed that one of the reasons why governments at all levels lock-up and threaten journalists, is in a bid to shut the press from checkmating their shenanigans and corrupt practices.

NGE therefore dated back to the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration which started in 2015, noting that under the x-leader’s watch the freedom of journalists were trampled upon by creating anti-media bills, which it claimed included the Cyber Crime Act, 2015.

To these effects, SERAP and NGE, during a joint statement at the Press Conference, called on government at all levels to immediately stop the usage of  the Cyber Crime Act, 2015, and regulations, which both parties claimed are disguised as broadcast code, by the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, to target, intimidate and harass journalists, bloggers, critics and media houses.

Delivering his own part of the joint statement, the Deputy Director, SERAP, Mr. Kolawole Oluwadare, expressed concern about the escalating crackdown on the right of freedom of expression, and the frequent disregard of the rule of law by government at all levels in Nigeria.

The Deputy Director said, “We are concerned that the Nigerian authorities have continued to use the Cyber Crime Act to normalise oppression, and repression on the rights of journalists, bloggers, human right defenders, opposition politicians, activists.

“We know that the suppression of the press in  recent times, takes various forms, ranging from extrajudicial to unlawful detention, including disappearances some of which are enforced by security operatives.”

SERAP also showed concern that the Cyber Crimes Act, 2015, continues to be abused to directly violate media freedom, and to criminalise Nigerians simply for the peaceful exercise of their constitutionally and internationally guaranteed human right.

Kolawole stated that, “Since the amendment of the cybercrime Act in 2024, the Nigerian Government at all levels have consistently used section 24 of the same act which speaks on cyber stalking, to harass, intimidate and arbitrarily arrest and detain users of Social Media, human rights defenders, activist journalist, broadcasters and bloggers, solely for their peaceful exercise of their human right online and offline.”  

The Non-Profit organization further revealed that a press tracker showed that Nigeria has dropped 10 sports from122^nd place in the world press freedom index in the year 2025, stressing that according to the 2023 and 2024 Freedom House reports on Nigeria, internet freedom of expression declined due to an unprecedented pattern of arbitrary arrest and detention of bloggers, after the enactment and amendment of the Cyber Crimes Act in 2015 and 2024 respectively.

SERAP emphasised that according to the Center for Journalism in Innovation and Development, CJID, there have been 110 verified attacks in the year 2024.

He said, “Let me give you some examples; One Muyideen Akinshola, reporter with ICRR, was reportedly arrested and subjected to continuous punishment over allegations of cyber stalking and defamation of character, due to a report he wrote February last year. “

Meanwhile, reading out recommendation to the Federal government, in other to stem the tide of oppression and victimisation of members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm, the Secretary, Nigeria Guild of Editors, Dr. Iyobosa, asked for FG to immediately stop the implementation of the Cyber Crimes Act by law enforcement and security agencies, until the provision of the legislation are reviewed and brought in line with the 1999 constitution of  Nigeria, (As amended).

NGE through its secretary also called on President Bola Tinubu to review the cybercrime act and other laws that seem to be hindering free speech and the activities of journalists.

Iyobosa said; “NGE has set up a committee to look into the oppressive  laws against the media, compile them and present them to the National Assembly for amendment. ”

The editors further urged the government at all levels to immediately and unconditionally release all journalists, bloggers, human right defenders, and activists detained solely for the peaceful exercise of their human rights.

They also recommended that President Tinubu and his government should uphold press freedom, ensure access to information to all Nigerians, obey court judgment and uphold the respect for rule of law.

NGE therefore called on the Anthony General and Minister of justice, to push for immediate amendment of the Cyber Crime Act, and other repressive laws, and bring it in line with the constitution of Nigeria.

The editors finally called on the National Assembly to immediately drop all bills that are targeted at regulating Social-Media and Civil   Society that would restrict freedom of expression.

Access24 Correspondent, Deji Ogunsola, reports that the theme of the joint press conference by SERAP and NGE, was tagged; “Unchecked Injustice: How Authorities Are Weaponizing  the Cybercrime Act to Stifle Peaceful Dissent and Media Freedom in Nigeria. “