Cybercrime law targeted at journalists- Fisayo Soyombo

Investigative journalist and founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Fisayo Soyombo, has expressed worry over the increasing fear among young people about the journalism profession.

Speaking during Channels TV’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, the investigative journalist said this culture of fear was discouraging new entrants into the profession. 

The multiple award winning journalist also pointed to systemic patterns of harassment, including misinterpretation of laws to criminalise journalism.

He argued that the issue with the Cybercrime Act lies not in its recent amendments, but in its weaponisation through interpretation. 

Soyombo explained, “The police working in cahoots mostly with corrupt politicians will always find a way to interpret what has been published as a cybercrime. You know it is just semantics. You amend it, you use different sets of words, they come back and it’s still that you published something injurious to another person. But the law is clear: when that happens, you go to court. Even without going to court, cybercrime law exists just to hound journalists.”

Speaking on a widening disconnect between journalists and the political class, Soyombo said “When government officials consider journalists anti-government, then it means that there’s a disparity in the wants of the two groups.

“Meaning the people in government don’t necessarily want a better society. They just want to fill their pockets, they want to push their personal agenda and they want to advance their political careers. If both parties want a better society, then they should be able to work together.”

Despite this, he emphasised that the press remains committed to the democratic process, adding “We are friends with the government. The government isn’t friends with us,” he noted. “It’s not a two-way relationship. It’s how they see us.”

As a measure of protection, he called on all media platforms, particularly digital outlets to “prioritise having permanent legal advice”.

“For stories that you think will cause more than usual national interest, a lawyer has to have a look. And then when it gets published and you get sued, there has to be a lawyer to say, ‘Yes, we’ll do it,’” People don’t talk about the threat of SLAPP—Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation— the fact that in newsrooms, lots of editors are scared (of being sued). If your story is true, you should be able to defend yourself”, he added.