An Anambra based Content Creator Evangelist Ebube Joseph was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) over comments on the activities of killer herdsmen in the state. The arrest was allegedly ordered by a concerned Governor Peter Mbah according to Sahara Reporter’s.
The entire ordeal was narrated by MC Dave, another content creator who revealed the plight of Ebube Joseph stating that he is currently been charged to court on defamation grounds by the Governor.
“An Anambra-based content creator that was whisked away by the DSS on the instructions of the Governor of Enugu State on the grounds that he was defaming him (Governor) has been rearrested. Mc Dave Said.
In a facebook video, the content creator in question narrated his ordeal in the hands of the DSS before he was currently arrested.
“The day I was arrested, about 2am, many people, even in the village where I live, everybody knows that I was arrested. DSS came with four vehicles to the house I am living in as a tenant, they carried me, covered my eyes, and handcuffed my hands behind my back for committing no crime, only that I spoke about the killings by Fulani herdsmen across Nigeria and in particular Enugu State.”
Joseph explained that he is yet to be told how he wronged the Enugu Government by his little citizen journalism effort.
“I didn’t do anything bad, my only crime is that I made a video online concerning what is happening in Nigeria generally. He lamented. Evangelist Ebube’s ordeal adds to various episodes of the recurring clash between state actors and content creators.
The Tech Angle
The advent of social media ushered in an era of citizen journalism where anyone with a smartphone is a potential reporter. Content Creators and Bloggers have filled in the gap left by traditional media in holding the powerful to account.
Despite the question of ethics and professionalism remaining an issue. The efforts of citizen journalists in complimenting traditional media should not be discouraged by attacks from state actors. Legitimate cases of defamation should be treated through the legal process.
