In a statement signed by its President, the Association described the way security operatives have continued to clamp down on online journalists as unacceptable.
Arisekola complained that " while professional journalists try to do their legitimate job of information dissemination, the environment in which they operate is becoming more hostile as security operatives seem to be getting overzealous".
In a chat with newsmen, Ariṣekọla said “I am no longer comfortable 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 am so surprised that DSS is what the politicians are using to intimidate people."
Speaking further, Arisekola said, '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.''
Though he lauded the media for not compromising on freedom of speech, he lamented the activities of bloggers who flout copyrights laws.
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