The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has raised concerns over violations of press freedom through the harassment, intimidation, and prosecution of journalists by security agencies under the Cybercrime Act and other laws capable of undermining legitimate journalistic practice.
The Guild urged governments at all levels and members of the public to respect press freedom and engage constructively with the media rather than resorting to threats, intimidation, or violence against journalists and media organisations.
The editors stated that they were particularly concerned about the use of the Cybercrime Act and other laws in ways that could restrict legitimate journalism, stressing that freedom of the press remains a fundamental pillar of democracy and good governance.
These positions were contained in a 10-point communique signed by Mr Eze Anaba, NGE President, and Mr Onuoha Ukeh, the General Secretary, and issued on September 11, 2026, at the end of the NGE Standing Committee meeting held in Kano, where it deliberated on issues affecting the media, elections, press freedom, national security, and the state of the nation.
It also called for greater constructive engagement between the media and those who may have grievances against journalists or media organisations, urging aggrieved parties to use established mechanisms for resolving complaints rather than resorting to threats, intimidation, or violence.
The Guild specifically encouraged aggrieved parties to channel complaints through the Media Ombudsman established jointly by the Newspapers Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP).
The editors’ body also called on journalists and media organisations to maintain professionalism and uphold the highest ethical standards in their work, stressing that fairness, objectivity, accuracy, and factuality should guide media reportage.
With preparations for the 2027 general elections gathering momentum, the NGE urged the Federal and State Governments to provide an enabling environment for all political parties and their candidates to campaign freely and fairly.
The communique also touched on some burning national issues, including elections, bad roads, and security.
Among other things, the Guild called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other agencies involved in preparations for the 2027 elections to ensure a level playing field for all political parties, including ruling and opposition parties.
It also expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of federal roads across the country, saying the situation had imposed enormous hardship on motorists, commuters, and businesses, and called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to rehabilitate, reconstruct, and construct federal roads to facilitate the movement of people and goods and stimulate economic activity.
On the issue of national security, the NGE commended the country’s security agencies for what it described as successes recorded in the fight against terrorism, banditry, and other forms of criminality. It nevertheless called for sustained coordinated efforts to achieve lasting peace, security and national unity.
