Online journalists under the umbrella of Association of Online Media Practitioners (AOMP) have blasted security agents for their continued intimidation and harassment of online media journalists across the country.
Mr Wole Arisekola, Chairman of AOMP, said in a statement in Abuja that it is unacceptable the way security operatives continue to clamp down on online journalists.
Arisekola said while professional journalists try to do their legitimate job of information dissemination, the environment in which they operate is becoming more hostile for media work.
In his words, “I am not comfortable now with what is happening in Nigeria with our professional colleagues, I mean the online journalists. You write something about someone that is in bad light, that person can take you to court, it is not a criminal offence but a civil offence. But now, I am so surprised that DSS is what the politicians are using to intimidate people.
“I have taken the matter to the Inspector General of Police; we’ve never had it so bad in Nigeria where people will be taken to police station, detained there, taken to court, prison, why? When someone writes something about you and you think it is illegal, it’s a libel case and not a criminal offence,” Arisekola said.
He lauded the media for not compromising on freedom of speech and expression even as he lamented the activities of bloggers who are always in the act of flouting copyrights laws.
He said professional journalists using online platforms have always adhered to the press laws of Nigeria in the discharge of their duties.