The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has raised alarm over the presence of anti-media laws in Nigeria, describing them as a threat to accountability, transparency, and free speech.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, the General Secretary of the NGE, Iyobosa Uwugiaren, disclosed that the Guild has constituted a committee to engage the National Assembly and the Federal Ministry of Information on the issue.
“We are concerned about the negative impact of this plethora of obnoxious laws; some of them were enacted by the colonial government, which today are undermining accountability and transparency at all levels of government,” Uwugiaren stated.
He emphasized the dangers of anti-media laws, warning that they could hinder journalists from holding power to account, thereby enabling corruption and abuse of authority.
“These anti-media laws also have the capacity to restrict the ability of Nigerians to express their opinions and participate in robust public conversation that is capable of undermining the fundamental right to free speech,” he added.
The statement further revealed that the NGE has inaugurated a five-member committee to collaborate with the Minister of Information and National Orientation, the National Assembly, the Attorney-General of the Federation/Minister of Justice, and other stakeholders.
