Published June 16, 2022
Social media is a very important part of our lives and more and more it’s becoming a medium for freedom of expression and an outlet for our voices. Its impact has even managed to influence the way elections can be won and in recorded cases have fueled revolutions. As with all good things, there are also parts that are not so great. There is rampant harassment and bullying that takes place on social media.
To look at the nature of social media and understand its ramifications; we will over the next few months go into a detailed analysis of social media – what are the available social media platforms, who uses them, what they are used for and how they vary, focusing on Facebook and Twitter. Secondly we will look at how social media has developed – how has our concept of privacy and data protection posed challenges for their development? Thirdly, we will look at how social media regulation has developed – what are our freedoms and our rights and how does the regulation of social media affect them. It will conclude by emphasizing the importance of understanding this subject as it will be a key issue for the foreseeable future as businesses need to adapt to the new way in which their stakeholders engage with them.
In Nigeria for social media regulation we will largely focus on the controversial social media bill introduced in 2019; SB 132. Although the ‘Protection against Internet Falsehood and Manipulation Bill,’ popularly called “Anti-social Media Bill” supported by Niger senator Mohammed Musa, was introduced in late 2019, other stages, such as deliberation and public hearing, were completed last year. Senator Musa stated that it will address the mounting risks that, if left uncontrolled, might harm the polity and disrupt peaceful coexistence. He also stated that one of the internet’s drawbacks is the dissemination of misleading information and the exploitation of unwary people.
The bill aims to control social media use and combat fake news on the internet, among other things. Another goal of the bill is to stop funding internet media that spreads incorrect information. If passed, the Bill will seek to criminalize some use of social media especially for peddling false or malicious information. It would give authorities arbitrary powers to shut down parts of the internet and limit access to social media. In June 2021, the Nigerian Government suspended indefinitely the operations of the Social networking service Twitter for close to six months till January 2022.
Offenders could face a fine of N200,000 or a sentence of 12 months in prison (or both).
A lot of Nigerians are of the opinion that the Bill is meant to control the information released to the public and shut down other veritable sources that are outside the control of those in power. A lot of opinion groups and Civic Associations believed it all bore down to repudiating criticisms from the masses.
This Controversial Bill has passed second reading and is at the committee stage after which the panel would present its report to senate for further consideration before final passage.