Members of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) have expressed concern over the National Information Technology Development Agency’s (NITDA) Practice Code, describing it as a baseless affront to the constitutional powers vested in the media.

In a statement signed by the President, Maureen Chigbo, GOCOP members observed with concern that the recent ‘Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platform/ internet Intermediaries’ issued by the (NITDA) in agreement with some ‘authorised Government Agency’ namely the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) or any supposed agency authorised; has continued to generate controversy and censure from media stakeholders and civil society organisations.

The members also urged the Federal Cybercrime Act, laws of defamation, libel and privacy to protect themselves and citizens against any perceived unprofessional journalistic conduct.

Calling on the National Assembly to call NITDA to order on its ill-advised move to usurp the powers of the legislature, the members advised NITDA to jettison the Code in its entirety or ready to face legal action.

The members said, “we find this fresh move to gag the media both reprehensible and repugnant as it shows the desperation of the federal government to muzzle the free press.”