By Gloria Ikibah
Avocats Sans Frontières (ASF) has announced its collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to strengthen digital rights in Nigeria.
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This was revealed during a courtesy visit by an ASF delegation, led by board member Ivan Paneff, to the National President of the NUJ at the National Secretariat in Abuja on Monday.
Paneff stated that the e-Rights Project aims to establish mechanisms that guarantee independent and fair access to justice, safeguard journalists’ fundamental human rights, and provide legal aid to vulnerable individuals, including victims of human rights violations, at both national and international levels.
Hhighlighting n upcoming national conference focused on digital rights, Paneff emphasised the importance of capacity building through training and partnerships with local organizations, citing the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ) as a key player in promoting digital rights and data security.
He said “It is important for the citizen with your help or assistance to know how to protect their electronic rights and the dangers and advantages of using digital tools.
“I learnt you have a school here and would like to hear you speak on that and we see how we can associate with the school for the next future because the guideline of the project is to ensure sustainability”.
He advised journalists to check their sources while using Artificial Intelligence to generate their data
He said: “In other words AI is a very good tool for us but ethics of journalism are necessary”
Also speaking, the Country Director Avocats San Frontieres, Angela Uzoma stated the continued collaboration with the NUJ with a component of the project focusing on press freedom hence the concept of digital Rights for the press.
She said: “Our focus on the project is to ensure safe space online for people to engage particularly Journalists knowing the crucial role journalists play in every democracy and also see what transpired lead up the general elections in Nigeria and as we continue to monitor what is going on, holding government accountable we see how the digital space plays a key role in ensuring that they have space to speak up for journalists to put up their report on cases of harassment, arrest, intimidation against journalists.
“So One of the things we are doing now at the e-right project is that we have the legal aid that provides legal aids to journalists and during the last meeting with the immediate past president of the NUJ we urged the NUJ to refer cases of harassment is journalists. We have team of lawyers who are trained to take up this cases and so far we have taken up this cases in Lagos and Kano.
“One of the things we will urge journalists to do is to select legal representation, partner with organizations like us and be patient because if executives goes after them and they are forced to make apology then what that does is that it has a shocking effect on journalism in the country unless you fabricated your story”, she added
In response, the National President of NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahya commended Avocats Sans Frontières for the visit and investing in Nigerian Journalists
He assured the organization that the NUJ will be at the forefront in creating more visibility on the project, and called on the ASF to involve the International Institute of Nigeria (IIJ) in its partnership for more capacity building for journalists and urged them to ensure sustainability
“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 act.
“At thesame 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 rhe country.
If you look at this place it is very vast land and in the area of sustainability we will do ebeehtjifn 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 practical aspect of our profession and above all it will be used as a rallying point to make sure Nigerians 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
