NGE cautions against cybercrime law misuse

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has raised concerns over the misuse of cybercrime legislation and other legal frameworks to restrict legitimate journalism, warning that such actions threaten the foundation of a free press

Addressing the issue at the conclusion of their Standing Committee meeting in Kano on Friday, September 11, 2026, the editors emphasized that press freedom remains an indispensable pillar of democracy and good governance.

The Guild urged governments at all levels and members of the public to respect media freedom and engage constructively with journalists rather than resorting to intimidation, legal harassment, or violence.

To address grievances professionally, the NGE advised aggrieved individuals and organizations to channel their complaints through the Media Ombudsman.

The regulatory body was established jointly by the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the NGE, the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) to ensure ethical accountability without compromising press independence.