The federal government on Monday, has said it is not backing down on its plan to regulate the social media space as it seeks to fight the spread of misinformation which it says could sooner or later, destroy the country.
It says contrary to concerns that Nigerians would be denied access to social media should the regulation takes effect, Nigerians would be able to use the social media as usual, except that fake news peddlers will be the target.
The Buhari government's stance was once again, disclosed by the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, while appearing on Channels Television’s morning show: Sunrise Daily.
He said other countries had taken certain measures to exercise some levels of restraint over the cyberspace but Nigeria was yet to do so.
According to him, the government had the option of shutting down the social media space in Nigeria during the #EndSARS protests but chose not to tread the path, adding that the National Assembly will do justice to the proposed regulation of the social media to guard against the spread of fake news.
He said, “The issue of fake news is bothersome for the government and the protests brought home the dangers of fake news.
“The talk around regulation, of course, we have a National Assembly, it will have to go through the normal process. We have a constitution, we have to make sure it does not violate certain provisions of the constitution that has to do with freedom of expression.
“Where you have fake news destroying lives, the government has a responsibility to make sure that there is a level of control. It is not censorship but some level of control.
“There must be some level of responsibility and some level of punishment to those that will create chaos out of mischief in our country.”
He noted the fact that the Nigerian youths used social media to drive the recent # EndSARS protests against police brutality saying while that was commendable, the cyberspace must be regulated.
The minister added, “The fact that how youths used it to mobilise is commendable. But the talk about the regulation of the social media has been around for a while.
“We’ve seen other countries taking practical steps in that direction, this country has not done that.
“Even during the # EndSARS protests, the country had an option (but) the country never went for that final option.
"There was no time the cyberspace was shut down, people were still able to connect themselves through the various social media platforms. And that shows a government that is committed to the rights of freedom and association of every citizen of this country.”