Everything You Need To Know About The Attempt For A Social Media Bill

EKOHOTBLOG, 4TH NOVEMBER, 2020

Social Media Bill has actually been ongoing for years after which it got a second reading at the state.

The bill, “Protection from Internet Falsehood and Manipulation Bill 2019” was introduced to the senate on November 5, and, if passed, we’ll hardly be able to criticise the government on social media, and also the protest currently going on Twitter wouldn’t be happening.

There’s also the Hate Speech Bill, which also works hand in hand with the Social Media Bill.

The #ENSARS protests which started from social media, the clamour by state leaders to put a restraint on the use of social media in Nigeria seems to be on the rise, from comments from Lai Mohammed to speeches at the Lagos State house of assembly, all calling on the regulation of social media.

In 2019, the senate announced that they’ll be suspending further legislative action on the Social Media Bill until 2020. COVID-19 delayed a lot of legislative work, and with the recent protests, and it seems our legislators really are motivated to pass the bill.

During a recent meeting held by Northern Governors to address the issue of insecurity, they called for social media regulation. They criticized “the devastating effect of the social media in spreading fake news,” calling for “control mechanism and censorship of the social media practice in Nigeria.”

According to reports, the communiqué, read by Simon Lalong condemned what it described as “the subversive actions of the #EndSARS change protest” and declared support for a united and indivisible Nigeria.

This has sparked a series of reactions from Nigerians who are now trending the hashtag, #SayNoToSocialMediaBill to state their displeasure with the move and demand that their rights to freedom of speech and expression. They say they don’t want it and they do not support the bill.

See different reactions on Twitter below:

The most recent attempt, just before COVID-19 lockdowns in March, was faced with massive opposition to a Protection from Internet Falsehood and Manipulation Bill before and during the public consultation hosted by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters

— ‘Gbénga Ṣẹ̀san (@gbengasesan) November 3, 2020

 

There is another anti-social media bill that hasn’t made as much progress in @NGRSenate but that Nigerians must pay attention to: the National Commission for the Prohibition of Hate Speech bill sponsored by Sen. Abdullahi Aliyu Sabi, who is also from Niger state APC as Sen. Musa

— ‘Gbénga Ṣẹ̀san (@gbengasesan) November 3, 2020

 

It’s clear that COVID-19 lockdowns affected legislative work but now that they’re back at work, it is a great time for citizens to #SayNoToSocialMediaBill loud and clear. These bills hide behind fighting fake news and hate speech to censor free opinion.

— ‘Gbénga Ṣẹ̀san (@gbengasesan) November 3, 2020

 

As many would have seen from the letters (from lawyers on behalf of their clients) that have been quite popular on social media over the past few days, there are existing laws that address the problems that these politicians are now calling for new laws for. Deliberate ignorance?

— ‘Gbénga Ṣẹ̀san (@gbengasesan) November 3, 2020