House of Reps urges journalists to deepen knowledge of digital, technology laws

As digital transformation continues to reshape societies across the globe, the House of Representatives has urged journalists and media aides to strengthen their understanding of digital and technology-related laws to improve the quality of their work.

The call was made on Monday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Akintunde Rotimi, during a one-day joint retreat for parliamentary correspondents held in Abuja. He emphasized the growing importance of informed media coverage in an era increasingly driven by technology and digital innovation.

The event, organized in partnership with civil society group Paradigm Initiative Nigeria, stressed the importance for technically informed reporting on complex issues like data protection, cybercrime, and artificial intelligence AI .

Hon Rotimi emphasized the House’s commitment to protecting citizens’ digital rights through robust legislation. “Democracy thrives when citizens are well-informed,” he said. “Clear, reliable information fosters public engagement and accountability.”

He called on journalists and parliamentary media teams to cover these laws with balance and depth, helping Nigerians grasp their real-world impacts.

Paradigm Initiative Nigeria’s Executive Director, Mr. Gbenga Sesan, linked Nigeria’s trillion-dollar economy goal to solid digital security and governance.

He pressed the National Assembly to fast-track priority bills, including the Nigeria Data Protection Act, Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Bills, Digital Rights and Freedom Bill, National Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill, Cybercrimes Act amendments, and Child Online
Access Protection Bill.

The Chairman of the House Press Corps, Gboyega Onadiran noted that journalists must adapt to a landscape driven by data, algorithms, AI, cybersecurity, and online rights. The Corps, he affirmed, is dedicated to making parliamentary work clear, accessible, and relevant for all Nigerians.

The event had in attendance the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Comrade Grace Ike and the CEO Nass Library Trust Fund Hon Henry Nwawuba who charged participants to see the training as a great opportunity to improve their skills on legislative issues and digital rights .

Also participants expressed satisfaction over the training describing it as a step in the right direction.