Avocats Sans Fronteres Supports NUJ In Promoting Press Freedom

Avocats Sans Frontières, ASF, is supporting the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, to enhance digital rights and press freedom in Nigeria.

ASF board member Ivan Paneff announced the collaboration when he led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the NUJ National Secretariat in Abuja, where he introduced the e-Rights projects.

According to him, this initiative aims to promote independent and fair access to justice for journalists, protecting their fundamental human rights and providing legal aid to vulnerable individuals.

Paneff explained that the project will also focus on capacity building through training and collaboration with local partners, such as the International Institute of Journalism, IIJ, to enhance digital rights and data security.

He advised journalists to check their sources while using Artificial intelligence to generate their data.

Also speaking ASF Country Director, Angela Uzoma, emphasized the need for a safe online space for journalists, highlighting the organization’s commitment to providing legal aid and support to journalists facing harassment, arrest, or intimidation.

Responding, NUJ National President Comrade Alhassan Yahaya welcomed the partnership and assured ASF that the NUJ will create more visibility for the project.

He also called for the review of the Cybercrime Act, which he believes hinders journalists’ work in Nigeria.

“NUJ is the mother of all practicing journalists in Nigeria with 36 state councils. Our job is very simple and I want to assure you that NUJ will continue to work with you.

“Let me thank you most sincerely for investing in Nigeria. If you go through the cyber crime act it is one act that is hindering the way we operate as Journalists in Nigeria and I think it’s high time for all of us to stand firm towards reviewing such acts.

“At the same time I am assuring you that we will do everything humanly possible to file cases of e- digital issues to your organization because I am aware you have lawyers who are willing and ready to defend journalists.

“We have the IIJ, an institute belonging to the NUJ with the sole aim of training and retraining journalists across the country.
If you look at this place it is very vast land and in the area of sustainability we will do everything possible to sustain what you are doing.”

“We are trying to see how to restructure the institute and own our radio station. That radio station will go a long way to ensure persons coming in will learn the practical aspects of our profession and above all it will be used as a rallying point to make sure Nigerian journalists are the best to protect, promote and hold government accountable and also citizens accountable.”

“We are assuring you that the councils in your project will work with you to achieve your project. The Chairman of the NUJ FCT is here and I am assuring you that your organization will achieve your goal and let us ensure there is the concept of sustainability”.

“It is also important to ensure citizens understand electronic rights and NUJ will be at the forefront to create more visibility”. he added.

Present at the gathering was the National Secretary of the Union, Achike Chudu, Deputy National Secretary, the NUJ FCT Council Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike, Vice Chairman Yahaya Ndambabo, Secretary of Council Jide Oyekunle and other members of the AFS France delegation.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji