The Protection from Internet Falsehood and Manipulation and Other Related Matters popularly known as the “social media bill” , has actually been ongoing for years, after which it got a second reading at the Senate.
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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 criticize
the government on social media, and also the protest currently going on Twitter wouldn’t be happening.
After the # EndSARS protests arising from social media, the request of state leaders to regulate the use of social media in Nigeria seems to be on the rise,
from Lai Mohammed ‘s remarks to speeches at the Lagos State House of Assembly, both asking for social media regulation.
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.
In 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 Arise News, 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:
There have been many bills, since 2015, that attempted to "end fake news and hate speech" but they have all proved to be excuses to censor free speech. Politicians are now using recent events as an excuse to renew the call for censorship over platforms they consider threatening. https://t.co/z45nFY9G96
— 'Gbénga Ṣẹ̀san (@gbengasesan) November 3, 2020
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
According to the @nassnigeria website, and @ParadigmHQ records, the committee report on the bill (sponsored by Sen. Mohammed Musa) has not been made public. That's the report that determines if there will be a 3rd reading (or passage) or death to the bill https://t.co/xoWMFwR8eI
— '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
The National Commission for the Prohibition of Hate Speech bill passed first reading late 2019. Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi's National Assembly page no longer boasts of his sponsorship of the Hate Speech bill (see https://t.co/KFEe01IX7q) but this is a good time to ask questions.
— '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
They bullied all the TV stations.
Except AriseTV for now.They bullied radio stations.
They bullied newspaper houses.
They bullied journalists.Now they want to bully and shut your voice on social media. The last hope for nigerians.
What do we say?
We #SayNoToSocialMediaBill✊🏿— #OurFavOnlineDoc 🩺🇳🇬🇬🇧💎 (@DrOlufunmilayo) November 3, 2020
The Abacha-esque dictatorship has returned to top flight league
But democracy will surely win when We Move as a team
Our stand remains #SayNoToSocialMediaBill #EndSARS
— Ebube The Statesman (@akaebube) November 3, 2020
Incase you don't know, the penalty for breaking the social media law if the bill is passed includes 300k fine, three years imprisonment for individuals & 100million naira for corporate organisations.
That's the price we're all going to pay if we don't #SayNoToSocialMediaBill pic.twitter.com/5F9r8Zi7MI— 〽️ABDULMUTOLEEB OYELEKE (@Oye440) November 3, 2020
Do you know that without social media the lekki massacre would have been done and swept off by the government?
They want to take the only thing we can use to stand against them.Retweet if you stand with me!!!!
#SayNoToSocialMediaBill— Uncle chu (@chubiei) November 3, 2020
Before passing the social media bill into law, why not pass a bill that will see corrupt public officers executed? Do this and we'll know you guys are serious about rebuilding the nation. #KillSocialMediaBill #SayNoToSocialMediaBill
— Sir Mondaylee 💝💡 (@Mondaylee) November 3, 2020
I support #SayNoToSocialMediaBill
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) November 3, 2020
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