We’re Operating In A Complex Digital Environment – Reps

House of Representatives has said the legislative environment now operates within complex questions of digital governance, data protection, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, online safety and digital rights.

The spokesperson for the House, Hon. Akin Rotimi, said this at a capacity-building retreat for parliamentary reporters and media teams organised by the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs in partnership with Paradigm Initiative Nigeria.

The lawmaker representing Ekiti North 1 (Ikole/Oye) federal constituency said these issues sit at the heart of democracy, accountability, economic development and the protection of fundamental freedoms.

He said the responsibility to interpret those issues accurately and present them clearly to the Nigerian people rests with two key groups: accredited journalists covering the National Assembly and media teams that support members and House leadership.

“Your work directly shapes public understanding of Parliament, public

confidence in democratic institutions, and the quality of civic engagement in our country.

“This retreat reflects a deliberate commitment by the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs to invest in professionalism, ethics, competence, and institutional coherence in legislative communication.

“Our vision is clear: to position the Tenth Assembly as The People’s House, a Parliament that is trusted, responsive, and results-driven.

Our mission is equally clear: to deliver timely, factual, and innovative public communication that strengthens institutional credibility and supports effective service delivery.

“The sessions on digital rights, the state of digital freedoms in Nigeria, legislative interpretation, and practical simulations are designed to equip you with skills that apply directly to your daily work.

We are grateful to Paradigm Initiative for supporting this process and for contributing technical depth to today’s engagements.

“This retreat reflects a broader reform journey guiding the work of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs. Democracy functions best when citizens are well informed, when institutions communicate responsibly, and when the media ecosystem upholds professionalism and

public interest,” he added.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Press Corps, Gboyega Onadiran, said the training was timely, noting that in the digital age, information moves faster than legislation.

“Journalism and legislative communication no longer operate solely through headlines and press statements. We now work within a digital ecosystem shaped by data, algorithms, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and online rights,” he said.