The controversial Social Media Bill which has been heavily criticized
has passed second reading in the Nigeria Senate.
The bill on Wednesday passed second reading with support by majority of
Senators.
This is despite opposition to the proposed legislation by Nigerian
citizens who are of the opinion that the bill seeks to fight free
speech.
During the debate, only one lawmaker, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani opposed
the bill. He argued that there is legislation in the country namely the
Cyber Crimes Act which addresses internet falsehood.
The Senate, however directed its committee on judiciary to work on the
bill and return in four weeks.
The bill was introduced to the Senate on Tuesday, November 5, 2019.
According to the sponsor of the bill, Mohammed Sani Musa, a member of
the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) representing Niger East
Senatorial District, it will regulate the use of social media in Nigeria
and curb fake news on the internet.
A similar anti-social media bill introduced by the previous eighth
Senate, sparked outrage across the country, and was later withdrawn.
The bill, if passed into law, seeks to prevent falsehoods and
manipulations and counter the effects of such communications and
transmission to sanction offenders with a view of encouraging and
enhancing transparency by social media platforms using the internet
correspondences.