President Muhammadu Buhari’s spokesman Garba Shehu has called for the
regulation of social media which according to him has led
to lawlessness, violence and deaths.
The Presidential spokesperson who spoke at a media award event
organised by Kawararafa Reporters, said the Nigerian government was not
against free speech but against use of social media to wreck havoc.
Mr Shehu said;
“For instance, the entire Kasuwan Magani saga that resulted in the
death of more than 50 people was because someone posted misleading
information on WhatsApp that went viral.“All countries in the world are trying to make laws to check the
excesses. Many countries are trying to control the situation. The
Europeans have placed a new law that holds the companies responsible.“In United Kingdom, the parliament has received a report on social
media. There is a youth addiction to it, just like cigarettes. Without
any form of control, it has done harm to women, ethnic minorities,
individuals, institutions and countries.
He also pointed out that journalists around the world
undergo training, accreditation and licensing before practicing while
social media users with a phone, a tablet or laptop anyone can reach
millions, sometimes for good and other times with ulterior motives.
Garba Shehu further argued that the Nigerian constitution never
anticipated social media, thus the need to tackle hate speech so Nigeria
can be a sane place to live in.
He added;
“The federal government is saying that stakeholders should come
together and agree on regulation. We know that no matter how bad the
situation it favours someone.“Some have argued that our constitution already has laws in libel, but the laws of the ‘60s never anticipated social media.
“No government has the right to muzzle freedom of speech. We don’t
support the taking of lives as punishment. People insult others and
share false information on social media. I hope that hate speech will be
tackled so that Nigeria will be a sane place to live in.”