A statement on responsible journalism amid trending content involving the suspended SUG President
By UCJ FUOYE Editorial Board
Just yesterday, a video allegedly involving the suspended Students' Union Government (SUG) President has circulated widely across social media and campus discourse. The Union of Campus Journalists, FUOYE (UCJ FUOYE) wishes to state clearly that it will not be reporting on, describing, or sharing the content of this video, nor identifying any individual allegedly featured in it. This decision is rooted in both journalistic ethics and the law. Under Section 24 of the Cybercrimes Prevention and Prohibition Act 2015, as amended in 2024, the distribution of obscene or intimate content without consent, particularly where it is used to harass, threaten, or blackmail, is a criminal offense punishable by up to three years imprisonment or a fine of up to N7,000,000. Forwarding, reposting, or further circulating such content does not exempt a person from this liability, regardless of intent. Beyond the legal risk, UCJ FUOYE recognises that intimate content shared without consent constitutes a violation of the individual’s dignity and privacy, irrespective of their public role or office. Reporting on the content itself, even in the course of covering a "trending" story, would mean participating in that violation rather than informing the public. This publication’s responsibility is to the facts that serve the public interest: the official suspension of the SUG President and two staff members over alleged extortion, a matter already addressed by University Management in a formal statement. Where personal conduct allegations exist outside of that official process, UCJ FUOYE will await due process rather than amplify unverified material whose origin remains unknown. We urge members of the student community to exercise the same caution. Sharing or commenting on content of this nature, however curious the moment may make it feel, carries real legal and ethical consequences, and contributes to the harm of those involved. UCJ FUOYE remains committed to fact-based, responsible journalism, and will continue to provide updates on matters that serve the genuine interest and wellbeing of the FUOYE student community.