A cross section of participants at the training workshop
By CHRISTIANA LOT, Jos–
Journalists in Plateau State have been encouraged to enhance their knowledge of digital rights laws as a crucial defense against the increasing incidents of online harassment, unauthorized surveillance, and data breaches.
The call was made during a one-day Digital Rights Roundtable Engagement hosted in Jos by Accountability Lab Nigeria, in partnership with the National Endowment for Democracy, ActionAid, and DIGICIVIC, as part of a two-year advocacy project focused on strengthening digital freedoms.
Alfred Agu, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Associate at Accountability Lab, said the event was necessitated by growing concerns over how poorly informed many citizens and even media professionals are about their digital rights.
“There have been numerous instances of data breaches, unsolicited surveillance, and online harassment.
“Journalists are the mouthpiece of the people. If they don’t know their rights and can’t protect themselves, they become vulnerable and that creates a gap in information flow and public awareness,” he explained.
Agu emphasized that the Nigeria Data Protection Act of 2023 and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) remain the most critical tools for safeguarding digital spaces. He urged journalists to not only understand these laws but also comply with them in the course of their work.
“We want journalists to understand the civic space online, the forms of intimidation that can occur, and how they can respond effectively.
“By knowing their rights, leveraging advocacy, and amplifying public awareness, they can play a critical role in defending digital freedoms,” he added.
Speaking at the engagement, Adesuwa Iluobe of ActionAid Nigeria and a representative of the coalition of civil society organisations, stressed the link between digital rights and broader civic reforms, particularly within the judiciary.
She said journalists must begin to use their platforms not only to report violations but to advance structural reforms through informed reporting.
“We are here to engage with journalists in Jos on their rights, and to also explore how civic and digital rights can be protected.
“There are challenges of corruption, delayed justice, and serious concerns about the independence of the judiciary. Journalists can help address these issues by grounding their work in law and facts,” she said.
She urged participants to take time to study key legislative frameworks such as the Electoral Act and judicial procedures, noting that factual, law-based reporting can help educate the public and support reform efforts.
The engagement attracted media practitioners, civil society actors, and civic justice advocates, who were also encouraged to use platforms like Ripoti, a digital tool for reporting rights violations and demanding accountability from institutions and individuals responsible for digital breaches.
