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Freedom of speech is being attacked from multiple fronts in Nigeria. An anti-social media bill just passed 2nd reading in the senate
A bill for the creation of an agency to regulate hate speech is being debated.
What are the implications of these sustained attacks?
A bill for the creation of an agency to regulate hate speech is being debated.
What are the implications of these sustained attacks?
An amendment of the National Broadcasting Commission Act to include "the regulation of broadcast of content on the Internet and the Web" is being promoted by the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed.
The minister has also directed the NBC to amend the Broadcasting Code to reflect an upward review of fines from N500, 000 to N5, 000,000 for breaches relating to hate speeches, inciting comments and indecency.
While the "wilful repeat of infractions on three occasions, after levying fines on a station, will attract suspension of license."
This is essentially Nigeria's three strikes broadcast rule.
This is essentially Nigeria's three strikes broadcast rule.
Lai also told the NBC to "immediately upgrade the breach of political comments relating to hate speeches and divisive comments to a "Class A" in the Broadcasting Code."
Ask yourself: why is this government bent on going ahead with the regulation of social media & free speech?
Ask yourself: why is this government bent on going ahead with the regulation of social media & free speech?
What is hate speech? Sowore is facing trial for treason. One of the charges against him was insulting Buhari. Does that qualify as a hate speech? What if the government says it is?
This government has shown it is intolerant to dissenting voices.
This government has shown it is intolerant to dissenting voices.
There has been an uptick in the attacks & intimidation of the media, CSOs and dissenting voices in the last five years.
More journalists & bloggers have been arrested, intimidated & jailed for criticising govt officials or for writing critical reports than any time since 1999.
More journalists & bloggers have been arrested, intimidated & jailed for criticising govt officials or for writing critical reports than any time since 1999.
Government-funded troll farms are using real or catfish accounts and bots to hound critical voices.
Even if social media is to be regulated do you trust this government that isn't shy about its intolerance for dissenting voices to do so?
Even if social media is to be regulated do you trust this government that isn't shy about its intolerance for dissenting voices to do so?
Also, ask yourself, why is the govt pushing these pro-censorship regulations and legislations so desperately?
What is it afraid of? Is there an emergency caused by so-called hate speech, &social media, that it is going about these regulations on multiple fronts, commando-style?
What is it afraid of? Is there an emergency caused by so-called hate speech, &social media, that it is going about these regulations on multiple fronts, commando-style?
Also note that this government, the military especially, has ramped up the use of surveillance technologies to monitor individuals, the media and civil society organisations.
Why is it impossible to have an independent NBC and not one that now believes its primary duty is to protect the presidency of critical comments on radio and television and soon, social media?
What are the implications of these regulations to online newspapers (which have become some of the loudest voices speaking truth to power) or even traditional newspapers?
If the government succeeds in regulating social media, what will be next. There is always a next?
If the government succeeds in regulating social media, what will be next. There is always a next?
Even if social media needs regulating? Do you have any suggestions on how to go about regulating it and broadcast media (the NBC style is still stuck in the military era) that won't culminate in the muzzling of free speech?
Are there examples elsewhere where the regulation of social media did not roll back the right to speak freely and criticise the government?
Suggestions will be appreciated.
Suggestions will be appreciated.
