The Sokoto State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has urged journalists to strengthen digital security, protect confidential sources and verify online content to guard against cyberattacks and misinformation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The council’s chairman, Usman Mohammed Binji, warned that account hacking, identity theft, manipulated videos, fake accounts and misleading political claims could compromise investigations, misinform voters and trigger tension during the elections.
Binji spoke on Tuesday at a one-day training organised by the NUJ Sokoto State Council in collaboration with the Sokoto State chapter of the Cyber Security Experts Association of Nigeria (CSEAN).
The training, themed “Reporting the 2027 Elections Responsibly: Cyber Law, Data Protection and Digital Safety for Journalists,” addressed the legal, ethical and security challenges journalists face in the digital environment.
He urged journalists to authenticate digital materials, verify information before publication and avoid spreading unconfirmed allegations, stressing the need to promote peaceful participation and informed democratic choices.
Binji also emphasised the importance of understanding cyber laws governing online publications and digital communications, noting that such knowledge would help journalists avoid preventable legal problems while protecting their constitutional rights to freedom of expression and the press.
On data protection, he warned that improper handling of personal information, sensitive documents and confidential sources could endanger individuals, compromise investigations and erode public trust. He urged journalists to balance privacy obligations with legitimate public-interest considerations when collecting, storing and publishing information.
To strengthen digital security, Binji recommended using strong, unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, updating devices regularly and avoiding suspicious links. He noted that compromised accounts and leaked documents could expose vulnerable sources, undermine investigations and damage media organisations’ credibility.
The NUJ chairman commended CSEAN for partnering with the union to build journalists’ capacity in cyber law, data protection and digital safety. He urged participants to apply the lessons from the training in their daily professional activities.
He reaffirmed the council’s commitment to press freedom, professional ethics, continuous training and journalists’ safety, urging practitioners to uphold truth, fairness, accuracy and accountability in their coverage of the 2027 elections.
“Knowledge is protection,” Binji said.
