Executive Director Paradigm Initiative, Gbenga Sesan, has urged journalists to focus more on the digital rights of the citizens along with other human rights.
Sesan, who spoke during a webinar organised by the Human Rights Journalists Network on Understanding Digital Rights, charged them on learning more about digital rights and ensuring the rights are protected.
He condemned the abuse of digital rights of Nigerians by politicians who he said have ulterior motives in ensuring the media is gagged.
Speaking on how journalists can ensure digital rights of people are protected, Sesan said journalists should publish articles on journalists whose rights have been trampled on as well as enlightening the people on how they can ensure their rights are not violated.
The Executive Director referred to the connection to digital tools, stating that no matter how much of security consciousness people are, there is still a concept of privacy.
“The right of privacy to information is guaranteed and it is the same thing we have in the digital environment. So journalists need to pay more attention it,” he said.
“Anybody who is following up what is happening in Nigeria knows that what is happening is partisan politics.
“The third estate of the realm that is supposed to help is the judiciary, but that arm of government is asleep, so the fourth estate of the realm is the media which keeps a record of happenings in the society.”
Commenting on the Data Protection Bill, Sesan urged journalists to keep reporting issues on the bill to force the quick passage of the bill into law.
He added that the passage of the bill will ensure that the rights of the people are respected and protected.
Report by Oyinlola Awonuga
