Reps move to pass laws to strengthen press freedom

By Linda Ike

The House of Representatives has moved to pass laws that will strengthen press freedom protections, and conduct inquiries into recent cases of journalist detention.

The house also vowed to engage in diplomatic efforts to pressure the government to respect press freedom

This followed a motion sponsored by Clement Jimbo from Akwa Ibom state on Thursday at plenary on the need to curtail the incessant and unlawful arrest and detention of journalists by law enforcement Agencies.

The Lawmakers noted that freedom of the press is a fundamental right enshrined in Section 39 subsection (1) of the 1999 constitution as Amended which guarantees journalists the ability to report news without fear of arrest or persecution.

They further noted that there has been a troubling increase in the number of journalists being unlawfully arrested, detained, and harassed for carrying out their professional duties relying on the offense of Cyber-Stalking within the Cybercrimes Act, of 2015.

“In recent times, between 2015 and 2024 there has been incessant unwarranted arrest, unlawful detention, and several other forms of harassment and intimidation meted on at least 25 journalists in the course of their duty, which is threatening the very fundamental pillar of democracy, and culminating into a breach of their constitutionally guaranteed rights to free speech.

“Earlier this year 2024 the President signed the Amended Act with a substantial adjustment on section 24, which listed what constitutes cyber-stalking and provided the punishment for such.

“The law enforcement agents neglected this aspect and continued their clampdown on free speech. Regrettably, at least 10 Journalists have been arrested in the past year, and 15 of them in the last regime.’ The house stated.

They expressed concern that this may lead to a worsening climate for investigative and independent journalism in the country’s media space, and this fourth republic democracy will be impugned by her admirers due to the excesses of those perpetuating this act of arbitrary absolutism.

They said, “The arrest in March 2024 of Mr. Ojukwu, in particular, was most disturbing as his commando-style arrest came barely 43 hours after this year’s World Press Day. Actions like this have led to international opinion rating Nigeria as one of W/African’s most dangerous places to practice Reporters Without Borders

The house Urged the Nigerian Police and other law enforcement agencies to cautiously and democratically rely on Section 24 of the Cybercrime Act 2015 as Amended and charge anyone including journalists to court who has violated any law of the land instead of depriving them of their constitutional rights.

The house also mandated the Committees on National Security for compliance.