Nigerian government seeks law to regulate social, online media

The federal government has asked the house of representatives to enact a law to regulate social and online media in Nigeria.

At a public hearing organised by the house on Wednesday, Lai Mohammed, minister of information, asked the lawmakers to amend the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) act to empower the agency to regulate social and online media.

The public hearing was organised by the house committee on information, national orientation, ethics and values on a bill to amend the NBC act.

Mohammed wants the commission to regulate the online media in addition to other channels of broadcasting.

The minister said: “I want to add here specifically that internet broadcasting and all online media should be included in this because we have a responsibility to monitor contents, including Twitter.”

Mohammed’s proposal comes about six days after the NBC asked all social media platforms and online broadcasting service providers operating in Nigeria to apply for a broadcast licence.

-The Cable