selemedia.org

Privacy & Data Protection Policy

Sele Media Africa

Effective Date: 20th January, 2026

Sele Media Africa is committed to protecting the privacy, dignity, and personal data of its audiences, contributors, correspondents, and partners. As an independent Pan-African media organization, we amplify unheard African voices. We recognize that trust is foundational. Privacy is a core part of that trust.

This policy explains how we collect, use, store, share, and protect personal data. We comply with applicable Nigerian, Kenyan, and international data protection laws.

1. Legal and Regulatory Framework

Sele Media Africa processes personal data according to the following laws and standards:

Nigeria

  • Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), 2023
  • Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) and guidance issued by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC)

Kenya

  • Data Protection Act, 2019 (Kenya)
  • Regulations and guidance issued by the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC)

International Standards

  • General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR – EU) (where applicable)
  • African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection (Malabo Convention)
  • Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 12)

Where multiple legal regimes apply, Sele Media Africa applies the highest reasonable standard of data protection.

2. Principles Governing Data Processing

All personal data is processed in accordance with the following principles:

  • Lawfulness, fairness, and transparency
  • Purpose limitation (data is collected for specific, legitimate purposes)
  • Data minimization (only necessary data is collected)
  • Accuracy
  • Storage limitation
  • Integrity and confidentiality
  • Accountability

3. Personal Data We Collect

We may collect and process the next categories of personal data:

a. Information You Provide Directly

  • Name, email address, phone number
  • Contact details submitted via forms, newsletters, or correspondence
  • Information submitted by contributors, sources, or journalists

b. Automatically Collected Data

  • IP address and device information
  • Browser type and usage data
  • Cookies and similar technologies (see Section 9)

c. Sensitive or Special Category Data

Where necessary for journalistic or public interest purposes (e.g. conflict reporting), we may process sensitive data lawfully and with heightened safeguards, in line with applicable exemptions for journalism.

4. How We Use Personal Data

Sele Media Africa uses personal data for the following purposes:

  • Publishing and managing news content
  • Communicating with readers, contributors, and partners
  • Newsletter subscriptions and audience engagement
  • Website functionality, analytics, and security
  • Responding to legal requests, complaints, or corrections
  • Protecting journalists, sources, and vulnerable individuals

We do not sell personal data.

5. Legal Basis for Processing

Depending on context, we process data on the basis of:

  • Consent
  • Performance of a contract
  • Legal obligation
  • Legitimate interests
  • Journalistic, public interest, and freedom of expression exemptions, as provided under Nigerian, Kenyan, and international law

6. Protection of Sources and Journalistic Exemptions

Sele Media Africa places the highest priority on source confidentiality.

  • We protect the identity of confidential sources unless disclosure is required by a lawful court order and all legal remedies have been exhausted.
  • We rely on constitutional and international protections for journalistic activity and freedom of expression.
  • Data processed strictly for journalistic purposes is handled under recognised legal exemptions.

7. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We may share personal data only:

  • With trusted service providers under strict confidentiality agreements
  • Where required by law or valid court order
  • To protect life, safety, or public interest
  • With consent of the data subject

We do not permit third parties to use data for their own marketing purposes.

8. Data Retention

Personal data is retained only for as long as necessary to fulfil its purpose or comply with legal obligations.

  • Journalistic material may be retained for archival and historical purposes
  • Inactive or unnecessary personal data is securely deleted or anonymised

9. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Sele Media Africa uses cookies to:

  • Improve website functionality
  • Understand audience engagement
  • Enhance user experience

Users may manage or disable cookies through their browser settings. Continued use of our website implies consent, where required by law.

10. Your Data Protection Rights

Subject to applicable law, individuals have the right to:

  • Access their personal data
  • Request correction or update
  • Request deletion (where legally permissible)
  • Object to processing
  • Withdraw consent
  • Lodge a complaint with a relevant data protection authority

Requests may be denied where journalistic exemptions or public interest considerations lawfully apply.

11. Data Security Measures

We implement appropriate technical and organisational safeguards to protect personal data, including:

  • Secure servers and access controls
  • Encryption and password protection
  • Limited access on a need-to-know basis
  • Regular review of data handling practices

Despite best efforts, no digital system is completely secure; however, we act promptly to address any breach.

12. Data Breach Notification

In the event of a data breach that poses a risk to individuals’ rights and freedoms:

  • We will notify relevant authorities as required by law
  • Affected individuals will be informed where legally necessary

13. Children’s Privacy

Sele Media Africa does not knowingly collect personal data from children without appropriate legal basis or parental consent, except where permitted for journalistic purposes and public interest reporting.

14. Cross-Border Data Transfers

As a Pan-African platform with a global audience, data may be transferred across borders.

  • Such transfers are conducted with appropriate safeguards
  • We ensure compliance with applicable international data protection requirements

15. Policy Updates

This Privacy & Data Protection Policy may be updated periodically to reflect legal, technological, or operational changes.

Updates will be published on this page with the revised effective date.

16. Contact and Complaints

For privacy-related inquiries, data requests, or complaints, please contact:

Sele Media Africa
Headquarters: Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
Website: selemedia.org/

We take privacy concerns seriously and will respond within a reasonable timeframe.

Closing Commitment

Sele Media Africa believes privacy is not a barrier to truth—but a condition for trust, courage, and ethical journalism.

We protect data.
We respect dignity.
We defend the unheard.