Nigeria moves to regulate digital platforms

Bola Tinubu

The federal government led by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has introduced a bill aimed at regulating digital platforms. This proposed legislation, currently under consideration by the National Assembly, intends to replace and update the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Act, a law that was adopted in 2004.

During a meeting held at the commission’s headquarters with Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Balarabe Ilelah, the Director-General of the NBC, characterized social media as an entity that creates problems if unregulated and underscored the necessity for this bill. The NBC director clarified that the existing law does not grant the NBC the authority to supervise and oversee social media platforms.

Ilelah informed the public that a bill to repeal and amend the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Act has been introduced and read for the first time on the floor of the National Assembly. Addressing the issue of unregulated social media, Ilelah declared that one of the primary challenges on the NBC Act revolves around social media and the incorrect use of social media to create sensational or fake news, and without a legal framework that empowers the NBC to address social media matters, this issue will persist.

Ilelah also disclosed that in 2023, the NBC had issued 1,238 warnings, and six different broadcasting stations had incurred penalties for violations of existing regulations.

 

More from Qonversations

News

Screenshot 2024 09 18 at 10.24.15 AM

50-year mystery solved: New blood group discovery could save thousands

News

Kashim Shettima

Vaccine-derived polio in Nigeria: Can a new task force eradicate the threat?

News

Screenshot 2024 09 04 at 5.25.40 PM

Nigeria faces severe fuel shortages amidst rising prices and long queues

News

India Laos

Indian Embassy in Laos successfully rescues 47 nationals from cyber-scam centres

Front of mind