Cybercrime: Choose your words carefully – Police tell journalists

SP Abubakar Smart, Acting Assistant Director, Nigeria Police Force  National Cybercrime Centre, has urged journalists to be disciplined and mindful of  their choice of words online.

Smart spoke  at a cybercrime workshop organised for journalists by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) on Thursday in Lagos.

According to Smart, the pen can be  sharper than the knife; therefore, journalist should ensure that whatever they push out online  would not put them in trouble.

“What strikes the mind of people when we talk of cybercrime is internet fraud but it is more then that.

“Today, it has become a global threat due to the way we use the digital technology, the nature of our work and the way we interact online.

“Journalists need to be well-informed about the Cybercrime Act of 2015, as amended, to be more educated about cybercrime so as not to fall victim,” he said.

Smart described cybercrime as any criminal activities done on the cyber space in any social media platforms.

He listed them to include bullying, stalking,  fraud, identity theft and phishing.

“The punishment for cybercrime can be up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to millions of Naira, asset forfeiture.

“We should be aware of regulatory agencies responsible for ensuring the cyber space is free.

“Some are National Cybercrime Commission, Central Bank of Nigeria, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,” he said.

Dr Layinka Adagun, a Mass Communication Lecturer at Lagos State Polytechnic, urged journalists not to be desperate to be superstars.

He said that  the zeal to confirm exclusive stories and the persistence to get information  first, could make some bullied.

Adagun said that some media professionals had  a misconception that their   daily activities, particularly  intellectual outputs were removed from internet governance.

“The internet has become a global tool for everything including a channel for freedom of expression but sadly, the freedom that the internet depicts is now being attacked and users intimidated.

“We all need to safeguard our access and activities on the electronic highway,” he said.

He said that cybercrime could be avoided, reduced or eliminated through a combination of individual awareness, organisational measures and technological solutions.

“Some strategies are: to educate ourselves on cybercrime, use strong passwords, be cautious with links and attachments, keep software up-to-date, and implement cyber security policies,” he said.