The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) says it will sustain the engagement of journalists for continuous propagation of data privacy and protection message.
The National Commissioner of NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, communicated this when he received officials of the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) on Monday in Abuja.
Olatunji recognised that times were changing; hence journalists needed to be abreast with the dynamism in the data privacy and protection ecosystem.
He said the media had remained a great asset towards nation building and continuous engagement would ensure that they played their role maximally.
“We are aware of the freedom of expression granted to you the press by the constitution, but we felt that it is important to train you to understand that part.
“I see this collaboration as a continuous thing, more importantly, now everything is changing, we need to deepen your knowledge on data privacy.
“We cannot do awareness under this building; we need media to assist us to disseminate this information so that people can comply with the data protection policies.’’
He said that the commission was collaborating with relevant institutions in ensuring that data privacy and protection policies were adhered to.
Olatunji said that the commission was working with Committee of Vice Chancellors to further deepen knowledge about data protection.
“We are also working with National Board for Technology Education for Polytechnics and others.
“All these efforts are geared towards ensuring that the message of data protection is spread and there is virtually nothing we can do without you.’’
The national commissioner encouraged NITRA members to pursue training as certified Data Protection Officers, adding that it was a lucrative area with readily available jobs.
According to him, when the training is combined it with knowledge of journalism, there is more advantage more than other data processing officers.
“It is a huge ecosystem that has something for everybody to benefit; so, we need to collaborate and ensure you catch up with the changes in data privacy ecosystem,’’ he said.
Mr Babatunde Bamigboye, Head, Legal, Enforcement and Regulations, NDPC, said many data controllers continuously breached data rights of citizens unknowingly.
Bamigboye, however, said that in spite the need for freedom of speech, there was the place of privacy and rights of the people, which the commission was committed to.
He told the journalists that it was important to learn some emerging ethics that would aid balancing the rights and privacy of individuals while reporting.
President of NITRA, Mr Blessing Olaifa, congratulated Olatunji on the adoption of Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, adding that it had empowered the commission to enforce data protection in Nigeria.
“We congratulate you on your appointment by the President Bola Tinubu; it is a measure of your hard work and tenacity for the industry growth.
‘We also congratulate you on the passage of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023; that has given you the impetus to operate in a way that people are now aware of data.
‘Before now, people were not much familiar and interested in data, some thought it was only data in their phones, but they are aware about information they give about themselves to institutions,’’ she said.
Olaifa, while commending the NDPC on its drive towards engaging the media in its activities, said it was necessary consolidating on the collaboration for more results.
“This is in view of the fact that the sector is dynamic and we need more capacity building to fine-tune our knowledge and upscale our skills while reporting,’’ he said. (NAN)
