Media stakeholders on Tuesday, called on the Nigerian Senate to scrap the bill seeking to regulate social media and the controversial National Commission for the Prohibition of Hate Speeches bill.
This is coming barely 48 hours after the Senate assured that it would amend the death penalty proposed for potential offenders in the hate speeches bill.
“Given the high respect which we have for Nigerians, we will make amendment to the death penalty aspect that most Nigerians objected to, so that a bill that meets their expectations is passed into law,” Senator Sabi Abdullahi, the sponsor was quoted to have said on Sunday.
The stakeholders were hosted to a roundtable in Yaba Lagos, by the Africa Foundation For Young Media Professionals in conjunction with African Centre for Intercultural and Media Dialogue.
Among the guests and panelists were Martins Oloja, the Guardian Newspaper Editorial Board Chairman, Tunde Abatan, Executive Editor, NewDawnngr online newspaper.
Others include Dr. Suraj Olunifesi, a lecturer, Mass Communication Department at the University of Lagos, and Oscar Ossai, Bishop at City of Refuge Ministries.
They aired their views at the event themed,” Hate Speech and Fake News Bills – Implication for the media industry and the society at large.
The speakers said that the bills threatened freedom of the press, speech and expression as guaranteed by the country’s constitution. They alleged that the government has an ulterior motive it seek to achieve with the bills.
Abatan, in his contribution, said that the government frowns upon criticism, hence the social media bills. He further condemned the proposed creation of ministries to enhance the hate speeches bill.
“It means you’re strengthening the center by creating commissions,” said Abatan. He called on Nigerians to reject the bills, adding that government activities were not transparent until the advent of social media.
“Social media is a threat to the ruling elite,” said Abatan.
Similarly, Oloja, said that the bills were unnecessary in management of priorities. He said that what the government needed was “self-regulation”.
“If as a citizen, I ask why the president increase the number of ministries, is that hate speech?” said Oloja.
“This is the time we should be suspicious, why do they go after free speech at this time,” Oloja wondered.
He urged Nigerians to reject the bills, stating that “if we doze off, they will pass this bill and use it against you”
“The most important dividend of democracy is freedom, when that is curtail, there is no democracy,” Oloja added.
Also, Bishop Oscar told the audience that the lawmaker who sponsored and supported the bills deserved to be recalled by their constituents.
“They don’t know what they are doing, you go to the Senate to amplify the wishes of your constituents, not the otherwise. The Senate is supposed to be a voice that represent the interest of the people” he said.
He added that the aim of the bills was to enhance unitary system of government.
Dr. Suraj in his contribution noted that the social media and hate speech bills were targeted to distract Nigerians.
“So many bills are coming under, like the bill to open up independent points – that is like giving vent to impunity,” said Suraj.
“The press must do self-regulation. It is only the conventional press that can regulate social media by putting out the truth on the front burner.”
