A member of the House of Representatives, Babajide Obanikoro, has said regulation of the social media was imperative.
Obanikoro spoke at a workshop on digital freedom and freedom of expression in Nigeria organised by the Centre for Advancement of Civil Liberties and Development, also known as Centre for Liberty (CFL) in Lagos.
He said: “There is nothing in life that does not need regulation. Even the traditional media are regulated. I think social media should also be guided. I don’t think putting some measure of control is to silence women, youth or anybody.”
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, advised the media stakeholders and civil society organisations to champion a cause for responsible usage of social media.
Falana said it will curb the spread of misinformation.
Self-regulation, according to the legal luminary, would eliminate the chance of a “possible shutdown of social media by the government.”
Delta State House of Assembly member Friday Osanebi urged the citizenry to “engage the government, citizens and ultimately make choices in 2023 that would enhance the consolidation of our hard earned democracy.”
Osanebi, represented by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Agbanashi Ralph Obinne, expressed confidence that “the conference will be useful in guiding our political leaders to stop the crackdown on the media and ensure the conduct of a free, fair and credible election that will elicit the trust and loyalty of all citizens and become the envy of many nations.”
Nollywood actor, Ms Kate Henshaw, urged the government to partner with CSOs to counter fake news.
Henshaw stated: “We cannot afford to be silent on the things that matter and border on our everyday existence in Nigeria.”
